What does 耍 mean in Chinese?

耍 (shuǎ) means "to play with; to wield; to act (cool etc); to display (a skill, one's temper etc)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 7-9.

How do you pronounce 耍?

耍 is pronounced "shuǎ" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 耍?

耍 is an HSK 7-9 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one.

What words contain the character 耍?

Common words with 耍 include 嬉耍 (to play), 戏耍 (to amuse oneself), 玩耍 (to play (as children do)), 耍子 (to play), 耍宝 (to show off).

How do you write 耍?

You can practice writing 耍 using our stroke order tool.

耍 (shuǎ), to play with

耍

shuǎ

to play with; to wield; to act (cool etc); to display (a skill, one's temper etc)

HSK 7-9 Was HSK 6verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 而 (no. 126)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to play with
to wield
to act (cool etc)
to display (a skill, one's temper etc)

Example Sentences

Example sentences coming soon.

Words Containing 耍

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
嬉耍	xī shuǎ	to play
戏耍	xì shuǎ	to amuse oneself
玩耍	wán shuǎ	to play (as children do)	HSK 7-9
耍子	shuǎ zi	to play
耍宝	shuǎ bǎo	to show off

→

消气(xiāo qì)· to cool one's temper

→

班门弄斧(Bān mén nòng fǔ)· to display one's slight skill before an expert (idiom)

→

卖本事(mài běn shì)· to flaunt a skill

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 7-9
HSK 2.0: HSK 6
HSK Lord study list: HSK 7 list

耍: HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 7-9 exam

Studying for HSK 7-9? Keep 耍 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free Where your level lands on the new exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

耍