射

䠶
shè
寸 + 身
HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

shè (verb) to shoot; to launch
shè (prefix) radio- (chemistry)

Etymology

Depicts a hand pulling back a bowstring with an arrow to shoot.

About

The character 射 now consists of 身 ('body') on the left and 寸 ('inch', a hand-related measure) on the right. Historically, it originated as a pictograph of a hand pulling back a bowstring to shoot an arrow. Over centuries of copying, clerical errors distorted the bow-and-arrow shape into the modern 身 and 寸, entirely losing the archery imagery. Nevertheless, its core meaning has always been 'to shoot', encompassing arrows, projectiles, and the emission of light or radiation.

Example Sentences Hide

他射中了目标。

Tā shè zhòng le mùbiāo.

He hit the target.

运动员在练习射箭。

Yùndòngyuán zài liànxí shèjiàn.

The athlete is practicing archery.

太阳辐射出热量。

Tàiyáng fúshè chū rèliàng.

The sun radiates heat.

他们发射了一颗卫星。

Tāmen fāshè le yī kē wèixīng.

They launched a satellite.

这个镜头可以放大拍摄。

Zhège jìngtóu kěyǐ fàngdà pāishè.

This lens can zoom in for shooting.

激光射向远处的目标。

Jīguāng shè xiàng yuǎnchù de mùbiāo.

The laser beam shoots towards the distant target.

放射科医生在检查X光片。

Fàngshè kē yīshēng zài jiǎnchá X guāng piàn.

The radiologist is examining the X-ray film.

宇宙射线来自外太空。

Yǔzhòu shèxiàn láizì wài tàikōng.

Cosmic rays come from outer space.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

谢 麝 榭 謝

Component: 寸

时 对 过 导 村 守 付 讨 封 寻 尊 夺 耐 寿

Component: 身

身 躺 躲 躯 躬 軃 軆 躱 躶 軀 躭 䠶 䠷 躰

Example Words

射手 射手座 反射 喷射 四射 射击 射灯 射门 投射 折射 放射 映射 核辐射 注射 照射 发射 辐射 内射 劲射 反射光 反射弧 反射镜 反射面 喷射机