What does 说 mean in Chinese?

说 (shuō) means "to speak; to say; to explain; to scold; to tell off; a theory (typically the last character in a compound, as in 日心說|日心说 heliocentric theory)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 说?

说 is pronounced "shuō" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 说?

说 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 说?

Common words with 说 include 一般来说 (generally speaking), 一说 (an expression of opinion), 且说 (thus), 乱说 (to talk drivel), 不好说 (hard to say).

How do you write 说?

说 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 讠. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

说 (shuō), to speak

说

shuō

to speak; to say; to explain; to scold

HSK 1verb9 strokes

Traditional: 說

Character Breakdown

说 = 讠 + 兑

Words of exchange — to speak

Radical: 讠 (no. 149)Strokes: 9Traditional: 說

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to speak
to say
to explain
to scold
to tell off
a theory (typically the last character in a compound, as in 日心說|日心说 heliocentric theory)

Example Sentences

他说中文。

Tā shuō Zhōngwén

He speaks Chinese

Words Containing 说

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
一般来说	yī bān lái shuō	generally speaking
一说	yī shuō	an expression of opinion
且说	qiě shuō	thus
乱说	luàn shuō	to talk drivel
不好说	bù hǎo shuō	hard to say

Related Words

日心说(rì xīn shuō)· heliocentric theory

→

呛(qiāng)· to choke (because of swallowing the wrong way)

→

Grammar Notes

Ability with 会HSK 1

Subject + 会 + Verb + Object

Progressive Aspect (正在/在...呢)HSK 2

Subject + 正在/在 + Verb (+ Object) + (呢)

Degree Complement (得)HSK 2

Verb + 得 + Description

Towards/About (对)HSK 2

Subject + 对 + Object + Verb/Adjective

Double 不 for EmphasisHSK 2

不 A 不 B OR 不...不 + Verb

Appears in these articles

Chinese Music Vocabulary: 50+ Words for Songs, Instruments & Concerts

HSK levels

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

说: 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 说 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.