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", meaning to shoot, is structurally composed of the components 身 (body) and 寸 (hand), with the latter component commonly associated with measured actions or manual techniques. Its etymology likely involves 身 serving a phonetic role while 寸 semantically conveys the hand's involvement in the act of launching a projectile. Originally centered on archery, the meaning of "射" has expanded to encompass a range of projective actions, such as discharging firearms, emitting light or radiation, and administering injections.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

中了目标。

Tā shè zhòng le mùbiāo.

He hit the target.

运动员在练习箭。

Yùndòngyuán zài liànxí shèjiàn.

The athlete is practicing archery.

太阳辐出热量。

Tàiyáng fúshè chū rèliàng.

The sun radiates heat.

他们发了一颗卫星。

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.

激光向远处的目标。

Jīguāng shè xiàng yuǎnchù de mùbiāo.

The laser beam shoots towards the distant target.

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.

宇宙线来自外太空。

Yǔzhòu shèxiàn láizì wài tàikōng.

Cosmic rays come from outer space.