Definitions

(noun) rate; frequency; proportion
shuài (verb) to lead; to command
shuài (adverb) generally; usually
shuài (adjective) frank; straightforward

Etymology

Pictograph of a rope with four dots representing bits of threads. Based on the original meaning "rope". The meaning later shifted to "lead", "follow", "standard", "rate", and "frequency".

About

The character 率 etymologically originates from the concept of a net or rope used for guiding, which established its early meanings of "to lead" or "to command". Its modern structure, consisting of components that abstractly reference this guiding function, has remained consistent in form. Over time, the character's semantic range expanded to include derived concepts such as "rate" or "ratio", which relate to the idea of a standard or proportion stemming from its original sense of guidance and measurement.

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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

工作效很高。

Gōngzuò xiàolǜ hěn gāo.

Work efficiency is very high.

队获得胜利。

Tā shuàiduì huòdé shènglì.

He led the team to victory.

她说话非常直。

Tā shuōhuà fēicháng shuàizhí.

She speaks very frankly.

提高学习效很重要。

Tígāo xuéxí xiàolǜ hěn zhòngyào.

Improving study efficiency is very important.

今年的人口增长很低。

Jīnnián de rénkǒu zēngzhǎng lǜ hěn dī.

This year's population growth rate is very low.

变化影响出国旅游。

Huìlǜ biànhuà yǐngxiǎng chūguó lǚyóu.

Exchange rate changes affect traveling abroad.

计算出这个概需要数据。

Jìsuàn chū zhège gàilǜ xūyào shùjù.

Calculating this probability requires data.

他以真的个性赢得信任。

Tā yǐ shuàizhēn de gèxìng yíngdé xìnrèn.

He wins trust with his sincere personality.