What does 书 mean in Chinese?

书 (shū) means "book; letter; document; ,冊|册[ce4],部[bu4]; to write" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 书?

书 is pronounced "shū" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 书?

书 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 书?

Common words with 书 include K书 (to cram (Taiwan, from Taiwanese khè su 齧書, lit. to gnaw a book)), 上书 (to write a letter (to the authorities)), 代书 (to write for sb else), 但书 (proviso), 佛书 (Buddhist texts).

How do you write 书?

书 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 乙. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

书 (shū), book

书

shū

book; letter; document; ,冊|册[ce4],部[bu4]

HSK 1classifierverb4 strokes

Traditional: 書

Character Breakdown

Brush strokes on a page — a book

Radical: 乙 (no. 5)Strokes: 4Traditional: 書

View stroke order →

Definitions

(classifier, verb) book
letter
document
,冊|册[ce4],部[bu4]
to write

Classifier: 本 (běn), 册 (cè), 部 (bù)

Example Sentences

这是一本好书。

Zhè shì yī běn hǎo shū

This is a good book

Words Containing 书

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
K书	K shū	to cram (Taiwan, from Taiwanese khè su 齧書, lit. to gnaw a book)
上书	shàng shū	to write a letter (to the authorities)
代书	dài shū	to write for sb else
但书	dàn shū	proviso
佛书	Fó shū	Buddhist texts

Related Words

回信(huí xìn)· to reply

→

上书(shàng shū)· to write a letter (to the authorities)

→

字样(zì yàng)· model or template character

→

写信(xiě xìn)· to write a letter

→

Grammar Notes

Possessive 的HSK 1

Possessor + 的 + Noun

Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1

Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Location with 在HSK 1

Subject + 在 + Place + Verb (or) Subject + 在 + Place

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

书: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. 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 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 书 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 The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.