熟悉 (shú xi) — to be familiar with, to know well

Definition

熟悉 means you're already comfortable with something — a place, topic, or routine — from repeated exposure. Unlike 认识 (used for first meetings or recognizing a person), 熟悉 implies deeper, ongoing familiarity.

verb
to be familiar withto know well

Examples

  • 熟悉。
    Wǒ shú xi zhè ge chéng shì.
    I am familiar with this city.
  • 熟悉？
    Nǐ shú xi tā de gōng zuò ma?
    Are you familiar with his work?
  • 熟悉。
    Wǒ men hěn shú xi zhè ge dì fāng.
    We are very familiar with this place.

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.

熟shúfamiliar
悉xīknow

熟 and 悉 both relate to knowing something well, together meaning to be familiar with.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

熟 combines 孰 (cooked; ripe) with 灬 (fire), showing food cooked with fire.

Open 熟 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 釆釆biànto distinguish
  • 心心xīnheart

悉 has 釆, meaning “to distinguish,” above 心, meaning “heart.”

Open 悉 →
Appears in
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