示 (shì) is a Chinese character meaning “to show”. It is written from 二 (two) and 小 (small), one above the other, and takes 5 strokes.
Build the character for “to show”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
二 + 小
Top–bottom structure
Structure from: 现代字形拆分（hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验：2 + 3 = 5）
Memory aid
Two flat lines (二) laid on top, with three small strokes (小) hanging beneath them — a sign board held up so everyone can see it. 示 means to show.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
5 strokes
In real words
- 表示biǎo shìto express; to indicate示 = shìHSK 3
- 提示tí shìto prompt; to give a hint示 = shìHSK 4
- 昭示zhāo shìto make clear; to proclaim示 = shì
- 显示xiǎn shìto show; to display; to indicate示 = shìHSK 4
Go deeper
All readings
to show
to show; to indicate; to make known to others
把事情摆出来让人看见、知道；表明。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 表示biǎo shìto express; to indicate示 = shìHSK 3
- 提示tí shìto prompt; to give a hint示 = shìHSK 4
- 昭示zhāo shìto make clear; to proclaim示 = shì
- 显示xiǎn shìto show; to display; to indicate示 = shìHSK 4
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 示 mean?
示 (shì) means to show; to indicate; to make known to others.
How do you pronounce 示?
It is pronounced shì.
What parts is 示 made of?
二 (two) and 小 (small), one above the other. The recorded source is: 现代字形拆分（hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验：2 + 3 = 5）. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 示 have?
5. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 示?
示. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 示?
Common ones are 表示 and 提示. The reading of 示 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.