HSK 1 · Chinese hanzi
什 — what (used in compounds like 什么)
- Reading
- shén
- Meaning
- what (used in compounds like 什么)
- HSK level
- HSK 1
- Language
- Chinese
About this hanzi
什 is a chinese hanzi character commonly studied at the HSK 1 level. Its primary reading is shén and it means what (used in compounds like 什么). To master it, see it in real Chinese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
什 appears in everyday chinese words such as 什么 (what) and 为什么 (why).
Chinese words containing 什
Frequently asked questions
What does 什 mean in Chinese?
什 means what (used in compounds like 什么) in Chinese. It is one of the HSK 1 hanzi every learner meets at that level.
How is 什 read?
什 is read shén. Reading it inside real words — 什么 and 为什么 — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 什 — is it HSK 1?
Yes. 什 is on the official HSK 1 hanzi list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 什 in a word?
A common word containing 什 is 什么 (shénme) — "what". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 什 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Chinese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 什 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More HSK 1 hanzi
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