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How to Write 弑 (shì) — Meaning “to murder a superior or parent”

shì 12 strokes Radical: 弋

弑 (shì) means "to murder a superior or parent" in Chinese. It has 12 strokes with the radical 弋.

Rated 3.5/5 in difficulty (challenging).

Appears in 3+ common words including 弑君 (shì jūn), 弑父 (shì fù), 弑虐 (shì nüè).

Due to its 12 strokes, Hanzi Writer's error detection shows 弑 requires focused practice — most learners need 10+ attempts for consistent accuracy.

Stroke order practice for 弑 - shì

Practice Writing 弑 (shì)

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How to Write 弑

The character 弑 (shì) is written with 12 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 弋 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

What Does shì (弑) Mean in Chinese?

弑 means to murder a superior or parent.

Character Data

Character弑
Pinyinshì (shi)
Meaningto murder a superior or parent
Strokes12
Radical弋
Difficulty3.5/5

Origin of 弑

弑 is a compound of 杀 (to kill) and 式 (pronounced shì, acting as a phonetic). The radical 弋 (a dagger-axe weapon) hints at the violent act, and the character specifically refers to murdering a superior or parent, a severe violation of Confucian filial piety.

💡 Memory Tip: Picture a dagger-axe (弋) stabbing a parent figure (implied by 杀), a shocking act of 弑.

Common Words with 弑

弑君 shì jūn
to assassinate a monarch
弑父 shì fù
to kill one's father
弑虐 shì nüè
to murder and maltreat

Example Sentences

历史上有弑君的行为。

lì shǐ shàng yǒu shì jūn de xíng wéi

There have been acts of regicide in history.

这是一个弑父的悲剧。

zhè shì yí gè shì fù de bēi jù

This is a tragedy of patricide.

这种行为被称为弑虐。

zhè zhǒng xíng wéi bèi chēng wéi shì nüè

This behavior is described as tyrannical and cruel.

Stroke order practice for 弑 - shì

Practice Writing 弑 (shì)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 弑 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 弑

弑 is composed of the radical 弋 (a weapon or arrow) on the left, and the phonetic component 式 (shì) on the right, which also hints at the pronunciation. The left side symbolizes a violent act, while the whole character specifically refers to killing someone of higher status like a parent or ruler.

Characters with Radical 弋

弋yì式shì

Other 12-Stroke Characters

亵xiè傅fù傈lì傍bàng傕jué傚xiào傣dǎi傥tǎng傧bīn储chǔ