述 shù — to state; to tell; to narrate; to relate
请简单叙述一下事情的经过。Qǐng jiǎn dān xù shù yí xià shì qing de jīng guò.Please briefly describe what happened.
Common words: 描述 (miáo shù)、讲述 (jiǎng shù)、叙述 (xù shù)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "to state"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to state", including 述 (shù), 申 (shēn). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to state" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 述 (shù), 申 (shēn) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span shù, shēn — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 述 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 述 shùto state; to tell; to narrate; to relateUseful words: 描述, 讲述
- 申 shēn(surname); 3-5 p.m.; 9th earthly branch; extend; to state; to explainUseful words: 申请, 申报
Common words for these 2 "to state" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 述 (shù) — so "to state" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
描述miáo shùto describe; description讲述jiǎng shùto talk about; to narrate; to give an account叙述xù shùto relate (a story or information); to tell or talk about; to recount; narration申请shēn qǐngto apply for sth; application form (申报shēn bàoto report (to the authorities); to declare (to customs)重申chóng shēnto reaffirm; to reiterate
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "to state".
申 shēn — (surname); 3-5 p.m.; 9th earthly branch; extend; to state; to explain
他向学校申请了奖学金。Tā xiàng xué xiào shēn qǐng le jiǎng xué jīn.He applied to the school for a scholarship.
Common words: 申请 (shēn qǐng)、申报 (shēn bào)、重申 (chóng shēn)
All 2 characters
Open 述、申 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.