实

實

shí

头 + 宀

Frequency#100

Definitions

shí (adjective) real; true; genuine

shí (adjective) solid; substantial

shí (noun) fruit; seed

Etymology

Simplified form of 實. Depicts a string of money (貫) under a roof (宀). Based on the original meaning "rich; plentiful". The meaning later expanded to "solid", "fruit", and "true". The 貫 component was changed to 头 for simplification.

About

The traditional character "實" is composed of the roof radical "宀" over the component "貫", which depicts a string of coins, conveying the idea of material wealth and fullness within a household. This etymology led to its early meanings of "full" or "substantial", which subsequently extended to denote "real", "true", or "actual" in abstract senses, and also came to refer to fruits or seeds as tangible products. The simplified form "实" retains the "宀" radical but substitutes "貫" with "头", a graphical simplification that continues to align with the character's core associations with substance and reality.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他非常实在。

Tā fēicháng shízài.

He is very honest.

实际情况需要分析。

Shíjì qíngkuàng xūyào fēnxī.

The actual situation needs analysis.

这是一个重要事实。

Zhè shì yī gè zhòngyào shìshí.

This is an important fact.

他实现了自己的梦想。

Tā shíxiàn le zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.

He achieved his dream.

通过实践学习知识。

Tōngguò shíjiàn xuéxí zhīshì.

Learn knowledge through practice.

诚实是一种美德。

Chéngshí shì yī zhǒng měidé.

Honesty is a virtue.

他的生活很充实。

Tā de shēnghuó hěn chōngshí.

His life is very fulfilling.

公司的实力决定了它的市场地位。

Gōngsī de shílì juédìng le tā de shìchǎng dìwèi.

The company's strength determines its market position.

Related Characters

Component: 头

Component: 宀

实