实
shí
- Pinyin
- shí
- Pinyin (Plain)
- shi
- Tone
- 2
- Strokes
- 8
- Radical
- 宀
- Readings
- shíshiTone: 2real; true; honest; really; solid; fruit; seed; definitelyOrder: 0Primary
- Stroke Order Code
- Speed
- Stroke Order Data
- ["M 474 789 Q 502 765 533 737 Q 548 724 565 725 Q 575 726 581 740 Q 585 756 575 787 Q 563 818 467 839 Q 451 842 444 839 Q 438 835 441 821 Q 445 811 474 789 Z", "M 279 639 Q 270 657 261 664 Q 242 680 239 653 Q 243 626 227 601 Q 211 582 186 561 Q 176 549 178 528 Q 182 497 191 479 Q 206 451 227 479 Q 230 485 282 601 Q 283 602 284 605 C 290 618 290 618 279 639 Z", "M 284 605 Q 302 596 353 608 Q 483 645 665 662 Q 702 666 717 664 Q 735 651 732 643 Q 732 640 704 563 Q 698 548 705 545 Q 712 541 729 554 Q 781 597 828 613 Q 865 628 863 636 Q 862 646 788 697 Q 763 713 687 698 Q 558 682 377 652 Q 328 645 279 639 C 249 635 255 611 284 605 Z", "M 346 507 Q 407 446 434 447 Q 447 447 451 466 Q 451 479 440 497 Q 419 527 348 533 Q 338 534 339 523 Q 338 514 346 507 Z", "M 309 361 Q 339 340 372 315 Q 385 305 400 306 Q 410 307 413 320 Q 416 333 405 360 Q 398 379 366 391 Q 290 409 280 403 Q 276 399 278 387 Q 282 377 309 361 Z", "M 555 253 Q 657 263 796 264 Q 868 261 876 273 Q 882 286 864 301 Q 807 343 767 332 Q 688 316 566 294 L 508 284 Q 505 285 502 284 Q 354 263 177 240 Q 155 237 172 219 Q 187 204 206 199 Q 228 193 246 198 Q 375 235 498 246 L 555 253 Z", "M 498 246 Q 452 114 301 35 Q 256 14 196 -11 Q 183 -15 179 -18 Q 173 -24 189 -28 Q 207 -31 274 -14 Q 323 -4 394 33 Q 515 97 555 253 L 566 294 Q 575 339 592 452 Q 596 486 611 526 Q 618 538 609 546 Q 557 598 514 588 Q 493 581 509 562 Q 537 529 535 498 Q 529 360 508 284 L 498 246 Z", "M 607 124 Q 668 72 742 -6 Q 760 -27 776 -31 Q 785 -32 793 -21 Q 806 -8 791 39 Q 776 100 607 157 Q 597 161 595 149 Q 595 134 607 124 Z"]
- Meaning
- “实” mainly means “real; true; not fake” (as in 实话 “truthful words”) and “solid; full; substantial” (as in 充实 “substantial, rich (in content)”). It can also describe something based on facts or reality, like 实际 “in reality; practical.”
- Metadata
- Locale: enCached At: 3/24/2026, 7:18:01 PM
Usage
The character “实” (simplified; 實 in traditional) is most commonly encountered with the general meanings of “real,” “true,” and “solid” or “substantial.” Learners first meet it in everyday words like 实际 (shíjì, “reality; actual”), 其实 (qíshí, “actually; in fact”), 事实 (shìshí, “fact”), 诚实 (chéngshí, “honest”), and 实在 (shízài, “indeed; really; honest”). In these words, it often contrasts with things that are imagined, exaggerated, or fake. It can also describe something being full or solid inside rather than empty, as in “充实” (chōngshí, “enrich; substantial”), giving a sense of having real content. Learners also see “实” in more formal or written contexts with the idea of “implementing” or “making something real,” such as 实行 (shíxíng, “to put into practice”), 实施 (shíshī, “to carry out”), and 落实 (luòshí, “to implement; make sure something is done”). As a noun in words like 实验 (shíyàn, “experiment”) and 实习 (shíxí, “internship”), it keeps the flavor of “in practice, in reality” rather than just theory. Overall, in modern Chinese learning materials, “实” reliably carries the idea of truth, reality, and practical, concrete implementation.
Handwriting Notes
实 in handwriting usually looks more compact and rounded than in print, with the “roof” at the top (宀) often written wider and more curved, and the lower part simplified into a small, boxy shape. The top cover may slope slightly, and the short central stroke under the roof can be very light or nearly merged with the lines around it, so beginners sometimes miss it or place it too low. In fast writing, the lower component often becomes a nearly closed loop or a squarish blob rather than a clearly separated inner-and-outer box, and the bottom horizontal stroke may be shortened or slightly curved. Despite these variations, the key cues are the broad “roof” plus a compact block below, which differentiates 实 from visually similar characters. Modern AI handwriting recognition systems are trained on many such handwritten variants, using these consistent structural cues to recognize the character even when individual strokes are merged, shortened, or written in a personal style.
Description
实 (simplified, traditional: 實) is a common character meaning “real,” “true,” or “solid,” and is also used in the sense of “practical” or “down‑to‑earth.” It frequently appears in words such as 实际 (shíjì, “reality; practical”) and 事实 (shìshí, “fact”).
Common Words
- 实shi2real
- 事实shi4 shi2fact
- 充实chong1 shi2rich
- 匀实yun2 shi5even
- 口实kou3 shi2food
Example Sentences
我喜欢实。
wo3 xi3 huan5 shi2
I like real.
事实很常见。
shi4 shi2 hen3 chang2 jian4
事实 is very common.
我们在学习充实。
wo3 men5 zai4 xue2 xi2 chong1 shi2
We are learning rich.
这个匀实很重要。
zhe4 ge5 yun2 shi5 hen3 zhong4 yao4
This even is important.
请写一下“实”。
qing3 xie3 yi1 xia4 shi2
Please write '实'.