Meaning of 写
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to write
- used in 寫意|写意[xie4 yi4]
How to use 写
写 (xiě) is the everyday verb for writing, and it often takes a result or object, like 写字 (write characters) or 写信 (write a letter). It also appears in words such as 写作 (xiězuò, to compose) and 写字楼 (xiězìlóu, office building). Example: 我在写作业。(Wǒ zài xiě zuòyè.) I am doing my homework.
The top of 写 (xiě) is a cover 冖, and underneath is a shape like a hand moving a brush across the page. Picture someone sitting under a roof, writing at a desk.
Common mistake: Learners often write the top as 宀 with a dot, but 写 uses 冖 with no dot on top. Also keep the tone third tone xiě. The fourth tone xiè only appears in 写意 (xièyì).
写 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
写 xiě · to write · 5 strokes
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- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 写.
| 听写 | tīngxiě | (of a pupil) to write down (in a dictation exercise); dictation; (music) to transcribe by |
| 写作 | xiězuò | to write; to compose |
| 描写 | miáoxiě | to describe; to depict; to portray; depiction; portrayal |
| 抄写 | chāoxiě | to copy; to transcribe |
| 写字楼 | xiězìlóu | office building |
| 写字台 | xiězìtái | writing desk |
| 书写 | shūxiě | to write |
| 填写 | tiánxiě | to fill in a form; to write data in a box (on a questionnaire or web form) |
| 编写 | biānxiě | to compile |
| 撰写 | zhuànxiě | to write; to compose |
| 写照 | xiězhào | portrayal |
| 写信 | xiěxìn | to write a letter |
Questions about 写
What does 写 mean?
写 (xiě) means "to write" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 写?
写 is made of 1 character: 写 (5 strokes). That is 5 strokes in total.
Is 写 an HSK word?
Yes. 写 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 写 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 写 is written 寫.
What is the difference between 写 and 画?
写 (xiě) means to write words or characters, while 画 (huà) means to draw or paint pictures. You 写字 but 画画.
How do I say I can write Chinese characters?
Say 我会写汉字 (Wǒ huì xiě Hànzì). Use 会 (huì) for a learned skill, and add 得 for quality, as in 他字写得很好 (Tā zì xiě de hěn hǎo), his handwriting is very good.