士

shì

一 + 十

Definitions

shì (noun) scholar; learned person

shì (noun) soldier; serviceman

shì (noun) specialist worker

Etymology

Pictograph of the head of an axe. Used to represent a soldier.

About

士 is a pictograph of an axe head, originally signifying a soldier. The character consists of a long top horizontal stroke, a short bottom horizontal stroke, and a vertical line through the center. Its meaning extended from warrior to a person of specialized skill, a gentleman, or a member of the social elite. In the traditional four-tiered social hierarchy, it designated the scholar-official class, and today it commonly appears as a suffix for professional titles.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 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

这位士兵很勇敢。

Zhè wèi shìbīng hěn yǒnggǎn.

This soldier is very brave.

女士优先是礼貌。

Nǚshì yōuxiān shì lǐmào.

Ladies first is polite.

他获得了学士学位。

Tā huòdé le xuéshì xuéwèi.

He obtained a bachelor's degree.

护士照顾病人很细心。

Hùshì zhàogù bìngrén hěn xìxīn.

Nurses take care of patients very carefully.

绅士风度很重要。

Shēnshì fēngdù hěn zhòngyào.

Gentlemanly manners are important.

战士们保卫了国家。

Zhànshìmen bǎowèi le guójiā.

The warriors defended the country.

这位博士的研究很有价值。

Zhè wèi bóshì de yánjiū hěn yǒu jiàzhí.

This doctor's research is very valuable.

各界人士都参加了会议。

Gèjiè rénshì dōu cānjiā le huìyì.

People from all walks of life attended the meeting.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 十

Example Words