式 (shì) - Meaning, Stroke Order & Audio

式

shì[shi4]Tone 4

type

HSK 3

Guru Deep Dive

English · type

Cached lesson

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Topology:Left-right

Strokes:6

Writing Balance Rule: The left side (弋) should be slightly narrower, while the right side (工 component structure) stabilizes the character's base. Ensure the final right-sloping stroke flows gracefully.

1. Meaning

type, form, pattern, style

formulaceremonyexpression

Noun / Bound FormNeutralBound morpheme#design#structure#behavior

Sample Usage

这种款式很好看。
zhè zhǒng kuǎn shì hěn hǎokàn.
This style looks very nice.
开幕式将在明天举行。
kāimùshì jiāng zài míngtiān jǔxíng.
The opening ceremony will be held tomorrow.

2. Sound

/[ʂʐ̩⁵¹]/Tone: 51

式

shìshi4

`(51)

=shì

Initial Consonant

Type: Retroflex Fricative

Sounds like: sh (retroflex sh sound)

UnaspiratedRetroflex

Airflow Tactile Test: Hollow wind sound through curled tongue channel.

Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip curled back near the hard palate

Final Rhyme

i (-i*)

Vowel Group: -a vowel group

Sounds like: -i (retroflex buzzing vowel after sh/zh/ch)

Note: Written as 'i (-i*)', pronounced as rounded 'i' [y].

Mouth Shape Guide: Combine initial 'zh-' (jr) with final '-i' (rr/zz).

Common Learner Trap: Do NOT pronounce '-i' as 'ee' after zh-! Keep your tongue in the consonant position and buzz 'rr/zz'.

Tone

T4 (51)

5 → 1 (51)

4th Tone (High-Falling)

Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 drops sharply from high pitch to low pitch, matching an abrupt command or decisive exclamation in English.

👂

Listening trap: Do not confuse with the retroflex initial 'ch' or alveolar 's'.

👋

Physical Tone Gesture: Tone 4 starts high and chops sharply down like nodding 'Yes!' emphatically.

3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 6 strokes

4. Components

Radical 弋 · Yi radical / stake (stake, arrow with a string)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 工 (Provides the phonetic and structural foundation)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 弋 (original sound: shi)

A stake or tool (弋) combined with work/craftsmanship (工) represents creating a set pattern, style, or formula.

弋 stake / framework
工 craft / structure

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

8· Phonetic Root: 式 (shì)

5. History

Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally derived from a combination representing a standard tool or implement used for shaping and measuring, evolving into the concept of a pattern or form.

Semantic Evolution: From ancient implements and standards to general forms, styles, formulas, and official ceremonies.

Frequently used in compound words relating to modern technology and societal structures.

6. Sinosphere

🇯🇵

Kanji (Japanese)

On: シ

7. Memory

Vivid Mnemonic Story

To build a new STYLE (shì) of architecture, workers use a metal stake (弋) combined with hard labor and craftsmanship (工).

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

试

shìto test, to tryAdd the speech radical (讠) on the left to mean 'testing' or 'trying out words/abilities'.

Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)

试(shì)

试 has the speech radical (讠) on the left (testing/trying), whereas 式 is the standalone form or style.

8. Mastery

Active Recall Challenge

这款手机的外观设计非常有现代___。

Clue: yàng shì

Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing it with 试 (shì - to test) because they share the exact same pronunciation and tone.

Memory Prompts

Recognition: When you see 式, what core meanings come to mind?

Production: How do you write the character for 'type, form, style' (shì)?

式shìtype

Speed:

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