Definitions

shí (adjective) real; true; genuine
shí (adjective) solid; substantial
shí (noun) fruit; seed

Etymology

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

About

The character '实', as the simplified counterpart of '實', derives from an etymological construction where the traditional form's '宀' roof radical encloses '貫', a component symbolizing a string of currency, collectively indicating material plenitude within a household. This foundational sense of tangible abundance gradually broadened to encompass abstract qualities of veracity and substantiveness, leading to modern interpretations centered on reality, authenticity, and actual facts, alongside more concrete meanings such as fruit or yield. The simplified iteration maintains the overarching concept of solidity through its altered composition, substituting '貫' with '头' while still conveying the inherent notion of something definite and true.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他非常在。

Tā fēicháng shízài.

He is very honest.

际情况需要分析。

Shíjì qíngkuàng xūyào fēnxī.

The actual situation needs analysis.

这是一个重要事

Zhè shì yī gè zhòngyào shìshí.

This is an important fact.

现了自己的梦想。

Tā shíxiàn le zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.

He achieved his dream.

通过践学习知识。

Tōngguò shíjiàn xuéxí zhīshì.

Learn knowledge through practice.

是一种美德。

Chéngshí shì yī zhǒng měidé.

Honesty is a virtue.

他的生活很充

Tā de shēnghuó hěn chōngshí.

His life is very fulfilling.

公司的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.