示 meaning and stroke order
Altar; ceremony; to show, to demonstrate
How to write 示, stroke by stroke
5 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Meaning of 示
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to show
- to reveal
How 示 is built
Pictographic character. An altar.
How to remember 示
示 is a picture of an altar: the top 二 is the flat stone table, and 小 below is its legs and stand. People set offerings on an altar to show respect, so 示 came to mean to show or reveal.
示 (shì) almost never stands alone in modern speech. It appears in many two-character words about showing or indicating, such as 表示 (biǎoshì), 显示 (xiǎnshì) and 提示 (tíshì). Example: 请出示你的护照。(Qǐng chūshì nǐ de hùzhào.) Please show your passport.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 示 (shì) with 是 (shì) and 事 (shì) because they sound the same. Remember that 示 is only about showing or indicating. As a left-side component, 示 shrinks to 礻, which looks like 衤 (clothing). 礻 has one dot on top, and 衤 has an extra short stroke.
Common words with 示
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 表示 | biǎoshì | (of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show | HSK 2 |
| 显示 | xiǎnshì | to show; to illustrate | HSK 3 |
| 暗示 | ànshì | to hint; to suggest; hint; suggestion | HSK 4 |
| 展示 | zhǎnshì | to reveal; to display; to show; to exhibit | HSK 5 |
| 指示 | zhǐshì | to point out; to indicate | HSK 5 |
| 提示 | tíshì | to point out; to remind (sb of sth) | HSK 5 |
| 示范 | shìfàn | to demonstrate; to show how to do sth | HSK 5 |
| 出示 | chūshì | to show; to take out and show to others | HSK 7-9 |
| 演示 | yǎnshì | to demonstrate; to show | HSK 7-9 |
| 示威 | shìwēi | to demonstrate (as a protest); a demonstration | HSK 7-9 |
| 启示 | qǐshì | to reveal; to enlighten | HSK 7-9 |
| 揭示 | jiēshì | to reveal; to elucidate; to set forth; to articulate; to announce publicly; to promulgate | HSK 7-9 |
| 预示 | yùshì | to indicate; to foretell | HSK 7-9 |
| 告示 | gàoshi | announcement | HSK 7-9 |
示 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 示
Learning 示 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 示
How many strokes are in 示?
示 is written with 5 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 示 mean?
示 (shì) means altar; ceremony; to show, to demonstrate. A common word with it is 表示 (biǎoshì), meaning "(of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show".
How do you pronounce 示?
示 is pronounced shì, in the fourth tone (falling).
Is 示 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 示 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
What is the difference between 表示 and 显示?
表示 (biǎoshì) is used when a person expresses an attitude or an idea, as in 表示感谢 (to express thanks). 显示 (xiǎnshì) means something becomes visible or is displayed, like data on a screen or a result in a survey.
Why do characters like 神, 礼 and 福 have 礻 on the left?
礻 is the side form of 示, the altar. It marks characters linked to gods, rituals and blessings, such as 神 (shén, god), 礼 (lǐ, ceremony) and 福 (fú, good fortune).