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HSK 3

tree

nounneutral
shù4th tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
shù
Part of speech
noun
Level
HSK 3
Strokes
9
Register
neutral
Measure word

Stroke order for 树

is written with 9 strokes. The animation replays automatically.

What does 树 mean?

(shù) is the common noun for 'tree.'

Two practical things to know: first, the measure word for a tree is (kē)一棵树 means 'one tree.' Using here marks you as a beginner. Second, in compound nouns attaches to the type of tree: 苹果树 (apple tree), 大树 (big tree), 树叶 (tree leaf / leaves), 树林 (woods).

can also be a verb in formal/written Chinese meaning 'to establish / set up' (as in 树立, shùlì, 'to establish [a model, a goal]'), but at HSK 3 you'll meet it almost exclusively as the noun. The simplified form replaces the traditional .

Example sentences

我家门口有一棵大树。

Wǒ jiā ménkǒu yǒu yì kē dàshù.

There's a big tree at the front of my house.

neutral

这棵树有一百年了。

Zhè kē shù yǒu yìbǎi nián le.

This tree is a hundred years old.

neutral

孩子们喜欢在树下玩。

Háizimen xǐhuan zài shù xià wán.

The kids love playing under the tree.

neutral

春天来了,树叶都绿了。

Chūntiān lái le, shùyè dōu lǜ le.

Spring has come — the leaves have all turned green.

written

我们一起去种树吧!

Wǒmen yìqǐ qù zhòng shù ba!

Let's go plant trees together!

spoken

Common phrases with 树

大树dàshùbig tree
一棵树yì kē shùone tree
树叶shùyètree leaves
苹果树píngguǒ shùapple tree
种树zhòng shùto plant trees

Synonyms

树木shùmù

树木 is the collective noun 'trees / forestry,' used for groups of trees in writing or formal speech. For a single tree or everyday conversation, use .

Don't confuse 树 with

shù

(shù) means 'number,' as in 数字 (shùzì, 'number'). Same pinyin as but very different: has on the right, has . Beginners mix them constantly.

shù

means 'technique / art,' as in 技术 (jìshù, 'technology'). Same sound as but never refers to a plant.

FAQ

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