舒服 (shū fu) — comfortable (physically or mentally)

Definition

Everyday word for feeling physically or mentally comfortable. 舒适 is more formal and written; 自在 emphasizes being relaxed and at ease rather than physical comfort.

adjective
comfortable (physically or mentally)

Examples

  • 舒服。
    Jīn tiān tiān qì hěn shū fu.
    The weather is very comfortable today.
  • 舒服。
    Zhè zhāng chuáng zhēn shū fu.
    This bed is really comfortable.
  • 舒服。
    Xiū xi yí xià shēn tǐ jiù shū fu le.
    After resting a bit, your body will feel comfortable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

舒shūcomfortable
服fúat ease

舒服 comes from 舒 meaning comfortable and 服 meaning at ease, together describing a relaxed, pleasant state.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
舍舍shè
Sound part声符shēngfú
予
予yǔ舒shū
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

舒 is made from 舍 and 予: 舍 supplies the meaning, while 予 supplies the sound.

Open 舒 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
凡凡fántray
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠬝
𠬝𠬝服fú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 服, the part 𠬝 was the original picture for 'to subdue'; the added left part 凡, a tray, later changed shape.

Open 服 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 2HSK 2.0 Level 32000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 2 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.