Definition
属 (shǔ) is a formal verb meaning 'to belong to, to be affiliated with', often used in written or official contexts (e.g., jurisdiction, classification). It is also the standard word for being born in a zodiac year (我属虎). The more common everyday equivalent is 属于 (shǔyú, HSK5), which is used for general belonging; 属 is shorter and more formal.
verb
to belong toto be affiliated withto be born in the year of (a zodiac animal)to be (a type)to constitute
Easily confused
- 书shūsound-alikebook
- 输shūsound-aliketo lose (a competition, game, or argument)
- 数shǔsound-aliketo count, to enumerate
- 数shǔsound-aliketo count (enumerate)
- 树shùsound-aliketree
- 束shùsound-alike(classifier) for bunches, bundles, or beams of light
- 赎shúsound-aliketo redeem (an item from pawn or pledge)
- 竖shùsound-alike(adjective) vertical, upright
- 梳shūsound-aliketo comb (hair)
Examples
- 属，？Wǒ shǔ hǔ, nǐ ne?I was born in the year of the tiger, and you?
- 属。Zhè běn shū shǔ wénxué lèi.This book belongs to the literature category.
- 属。Zhège dìqū shǔ Běijīng shì guǎnxiá.This region is under the jurisdiction of Beijing municipality.
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