Meaning of 识字
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to learn to read
- able to read; literate
How to use 识字
识字 is a verb phrase meaning to know how to read. It often appears in talk about education, children learning to read, or literacy rates. Example: 我奶奶不识字。(Wǒ nǎinai bù shízì.) My grandmother can't read.
识 (shí) means to know or recognize, as in 认识 (rènshi), and 字 (zì) means a written character, as in 汉字 (Hànzì). If you can recognize characters, you are literate.
Common mistake: Learners often read 识 as shì because of 认识 (rènshi), where it is neutral tone. In 识字 it is second tone: shízì. Also, do not confuse 识 with 只 (zhǐ) or 织 (zhī), which look similar on the right side.
识字 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.
识 shí · to know · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
字 zì · letter · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 识字.
| 名字 | míngzi | name (of a person or thing) |
| 认识 | rènshi | to know; to recognize |
| 知识 | zhīshi | knowledge; intellectual |
| 汉字 | Hànzì | Chinese character(s) |
| 数字 | shùzì | numeral; digit |
| 字典 | zìdiǎn | Chinese character dictionary (containing entries for single characters, contrasted with a |
| 文字 | wénzì | character; script |
| 字母 | zìmǔ | letter (of the alphabet) |
| 常识 | chángshí | common sense; general knowledge |
| 意识 | yìshí | consciousness; awareness; (usu. followed by 到[dao4]) to be aware of; to realize |
| 签字 | qiānzì | to sign (one's name); signature |
| 写字楼 | xiězìlóu | office building |
Questions about 识字
What does 识字 mean?
识字 (shízì) means "to learn to read; able to read; literate".
How do you write 识字?
识字 is made of 2 characters: 识 (7 strokes), 字 (6 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 识字 an HSK word?
Yes. 识字 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 识字 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 识字 is written 識字.
Is 识字 the same as 认识字?
They are close in meaning. 识字 is the set expression for being literate in general. 认识字 or 认识这个字 is more casual and often refers to recognizing specific characters.
How do you say illiterate in Chinese?
You can say 不识字 (bù shízì), meaning cannot read. The more formal noun is 文盲 (wénmáng), an illiterate person.