(shù) — technique; method

Definition

术 (shù) is a bound morpheme meaning 'technique / method' — it only appears as the second part of a compound (技术, 艺术, 战术). Standalone, it is never used alone.

bound form
techniquemethod

Examples

  • Xiàn dài jì shù fā zhǎn hěn kuài.
    Modern technology develops quickly.
  • Tā xué de shì měi shù.
    He studies fine arts.
  • Zhè ge zhàn shù hěn yǒu xiào.
    This tactic is very effective.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 術; 术 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
xíngstreet, path
Sound part声符shēngfú
zhúshù
Same sound today

The traditional form 術 has 行 (street, path) beside 朮, which gives the sound; the simplified 术 is a later shorthand.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.