(shì)

9 strokes

(bound form) to rely on

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
shì
Meaning
(bound form) to rely on; (literary) one's mother
Strokes
9
HSK level
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where comes from and how its parts fit together.

Phonetic-semantic compound⿰忄寺

In this compound, the meaning comes from (heart); supplies the sound.

One part carries the meaning, the other suggests the sound.

Made of

Parts are arranged left to right.

How to write step by step

9 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

Words with

Common words using — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

zhàngshì

to rely on; to depend on

Open 仗恃 page →
shīshì

to lose sb one relies upon; to lose one's mother

Open 失恃 page →
shì

self-esteem

Open 自恃 page →

(idiom) to be inordinately proud of one's ability; to be conceited and contemptuous

Open 恃才傲物 page →

secure in the knowledge that one has backing

Open 有恃无恐 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 恃?

Trace 恃 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.