Definitions

shì (adjective) suitable; proper; fitting
shì (adjective) comfortable; well-adapted
shì (verb) to adapt to; to adjust to

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 适 combines the movement radical 辶 with the phonetic component 舌, a simplification of the traditional form 適 (which paired 辶 with 啇). The radical links the character to its original meaning of traveling toward a destination. Historically, this specifically referred to a woman going to her husband's home upon marriage, a sense that later generalized to mean moving toward a goal. Over time, the meaning evolved from the physical act of arrival to the abstract idea of achieving a proper or comfortable state, coming to signify fitting, suitable, or appropriate.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书很合孩子。

Zhè běn shū hěn shìhé háizi.

This book is very suitable for children.

这个房间很舒

Zhè ge fángjiān hěn shūshì.

This room is very comfortable.

这里的气候很宜。

Zhèlǐ de qìhòu hěn shìyí.

The climate here is very pleasant.

当休息一下。

Qǐng shìdàng xiūxi yīxià.

Please take a proper break.

他很快应了新环境。

Tā hěn kuài shìyìng le xīn huánjìng.

He quickly adapted to the new environment.

我们必须应变化。

Wǒmen bìxū shìyìng biànhuà.

We must adapt to changes.

找到合自己的学习方法很重要。

Zhǎodào shìhé zìjǐ de xuéxí fāngfǎ hěn zhòngyào.

Finding a learning method that suits you is important.

当时机做出决定是成功的关键。

Zài shìdàng shíjī zuò chū juédìng shì chénggōng de guānjiàn.

Making decisions at the appropriate time is key to success.