Definitions

shì (verb) to look at; to regard; to inspect

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 视, derived from the traditional form 視, is a phono-semantic compound. Its right side features the component 见, depicting an eye over a person to represent the act of seeing or vision. The left side contains the radical 礻, a variant of 示, which provides the character's phonetic value. The core meaning refers to the physical act of looking, inspecting, or directing one's gaze. Over time, this sense expanded from physical eyesight to include mental perception, encompassing how one regards, evaluates, or treats a situation, person, or abstract issue, thus bridging physical vision and cognitive judgment.

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 Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 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 Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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)
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

我喜欢看电

Wǒ xǐhuān kàn diànshì.

I like watching TV.

他很重学习。

Tā hěn zhòngshì xuéxí.

He values study greatly.

不要忽安全问题。

Bùyào hūshì ānquán wèntí.

Do not neglect safety issues.

他的线一直盯着窗外。

Tā de shìxiàn yīzhí dīng zhe chuāng wài.

His gaze is fixed on the window.

这部电影觉效果很好。

Zhè bù diànyǐng shìjué xiàoguǒ hěn hǎo.

This movie has good visual effects.

领导明天来察工厂。

Lǐngdǎo míngtiān lái shìchá gōngchǎng.

The leader will come to inspect the factory tomorrow.

从不同角看问题很重要。

Cóng bùtóng shìjiǎo kàn wèntí hěn zhòngyào.

It is important to look at problems from different perspectives.

我们必须具体情况而定。

Wǒmen bìxū shì jùtǐ qíngkuàng ér dìng.

We must decide based on the specific situation.