射

䠶
shè
#702 most
frequent character
shoot, fire, discharge in a jet
verb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

射 started as a picture: a hand 寸 pulling back a bow with an arrow. That gave the meaning 'to shoot an arrow'. Over time the bow and arrow shapes merged into 身, now an empty part, and the meaning simply broadened to 'to shoot'.

Drawn as: hand pulling a bow; bow and arrow

射 as a component in other characters

sound3 characters
谢麝榭

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Example Sentences

他在射箭比赛中得了第一名。
tāzài shèjiàn bǐsài zhōng déle dìyī míng 。
He won first place in the archery competition.
请不要射击那些无辜的动物。
qǐng búyào shèjī nèixiē wúgū de dòngwù 。
Please do not shoot those innocent animals.
火箭将很快射向太空。
huǒjiàn jiāng hěnkuài shèxiàng tàikōng 。
The rocket will soon be shot into space.

Same Characters, Different Readings

射shè
shoot, fire, discharge in a jet

Words with similar meanings

发射fāshè
to launch
This term often refers specifically to launching projectiles or rockets, implying a more technical or significant action.
射击shèjī
to shoot
This term specifically refers to shooting, often with firearms, with a direct connotation of hitting a target.

Homophones

社shè
society, organized body
射shè
shoot, fire, discharge in a jet
拾shè
to ascend in light steps
设shè
to set up, to put in place
舍shè
(bound form) residence, house
摄shè
(bound form) to take in, to absorb

Words Starting With 射

射击shè jī
to shoot; to fire (a gun)

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