Meaning of 手续
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- procedure
- formalities
Measure word: 道,個|个
How to use 手续
手续 is the everyday word for official steps and paperwork, often with verbs like 办 (bàn, to handle). Example: 我去银行办手续。(Wǒ qù yínháng bàn shǒuxù.) I'm going to the bank to take care of the formalities.
手续 combines 手 (shǒu, hand) and 续 (xù, to continue, as in 继续 jìxù). Picture paperwork passing from hand to hand, one step continuing into the next, until the whole procedure is done.
Common mistake: Learners often say 做手续, but the natural verb is 办 (bàn), as in 办手续 or 办理手续. Also, 续 (xù) is fourth tone, not third, so do not let it copy the tone of 手 (shǒu).
手续 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.
手 shǒu · hand · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
续 xù · to continue · 11 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Related words
Words that share a character with 手续.
| 手机 | shǒujī | cell phone; mobile phone |
| 洗手间 | xǐshǒujiān | toilet; lavatory |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 举手 | jǔshǒu | to raise a hand; to put up one's hand (as signal) |
| 继续 | jìxù | to continue; to proceed with; to go on with |
| 手指 | shǒuzhǐ | finger |
| 持续 | chíxù | to continue; to last; to persist |
| 对手 | duìshǒu | opponent; rival |
| 选手 | xuǎnshǒu | athlete; contestant |
| 歌手 | gēshǒu | singer |
| 连续 | liánxù | continuous; in a row |
| 握手 | wòshǒu | to shake hands |
Questions about 手续
What does 手续 mean?
手续 (shǒuxù) means "procedure; formalities" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 手续?
手续 is made of 2 characters: 手 (4 strokes), 续 (11 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 手续 an HSK word?
Yes. 手续 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 手续 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 手续 is written 手續.
What are some common phrases with 手续?
You will often see 入住手续 (rùzhù shǒuxù, check-in procedures at a hotel), 登机手续 (dēngjī shǒuxù, airport check-in) and 手续费 (shǒuxùfèi, service fee or handling charge).
What is the difference between 手续 and 程序?
手续 means the practical formalities a person must complete, such as forms, stamps and signatures. 程序 (chéngxù) is a more general word for an ordered process or sequence, and it also means a computer program.