Definitions

shí (verb) to know; to recognize
shí (noun) knowledge

Etymology

Simplified from . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 识 is a simplified form of the traditional 識, a phono-semantic compound associated with knowledge and recognition. Its traditional structure pairs the semantic radical 言 (yán), meaning speech, with the phonetic component 戠 (zhí). The core meanings involve cognitive abilities, to know, recognize, identify, and understand, tying the acquisition of knowledge to expression. The simplified version replaces the speech radical with 讠 and the complex phonetic 戠 with the simpler 只 (zhǐ), streamlining its appearance while maintaining the connection to communication. Additionally, 识 has a secondary pronunciation, zhì, meaning to remember or record, linking mental retention to documentation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 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)
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

我认他。

Wǒ rènshi tā.

I know him.

就是力量。

Zhīshi jiùshì lìliang.

Knowledge is power.

她很有见

Tā hěn yǒu jiànshi.

She is very knowledgeable and experienced.

你认这条路吗?

Nǐ rènshi zhè tiáo lù ma?

Do you know this road?

我们需要有危机意

Wǒmen xūyào yǒu wēijī yìshí.

We need to have a sense of crisis.

别出了那个错误。

Tā shíbié chūle nàgè cuòwù.

He identified that mistake.

这个标志你认吗?

Zhège biāozhì nǐ rènshi ma?

Do you recognize this sign?

破了那个骗局。

Tā shípòle nàgè piànjú.

He saw through that scam.