shù: 竖 - Vertical, To Erect

Keywords: 竖, shu, shù, vertical, to erect, to set upright, Chinese character stroke, shu pinyin, shu meaning, 竖 in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, vertical line, what does shu mean, erect a sign, Chinese word for vertical

Summary: Discover the Chinese character 竖 (shù), a fundamental term that means both “vertical” and “to erect.” Learn its crucial role as one of the basic strokes in Chinese calligraphy, its practical use in everyday language for setting things upright, and its cultural significance in everything from architecture to expressing emotions. This guide provides a deep, practical understanding for any beginner learner of Mandarin Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): shù

Part of Speech: Noun, Verb, Adjective

HSK Level: N/A (Component in HSK 1-6 words)

Concise Definition: Vertical; to set upright or erect.

In a Nutshell: 竖 (shù) is all about the concept of “up-and-down.” As a noun, it's the vertical line ( | ), one of the first and most important strokes you learn in Chinese writing. As a verb, it's the physical action of making something stand up straight, like putting up a flagpole or a sign. It's a very direct, physical, and foundational concept in Chinese.

竖 (shù): This is a single-character word. Its modern form can be broken down into memorable components for learning:

臣 (chén): Originally depicting a subject or minister bowing down.

又 (yòu): Represents a hand.

土 (tǔ): Represents the earth or ground.

Combined Meaning: You can imagine the character as a story: a hand (又) is taking a person/object (臣) and planting it firmly and upright into the ground (土). This vivid image perfectly captures the meaning of “to erect” or “to make something stand vertically.”

The Backbone of Calligraphy: In Chinese calligraphy, 竖 (shù) is one of the “Eight Principles of Yong” (永字八法), the eight fundamental strokes that form the basis of all characters. A well-written 竖 is described as a “suspended needle” (悬针竖) or “dewdrop” (垂露竖) and is considered the backbone of a character. It requires strength, stability, and control, reflecting the calligrapher's inner state.

Establishing Permanence: The act of “竖-ing” something, such as 竖一块碑 (shù yī kuài bēi) - “to erect a stele/monument,” is a culturally significant act. It marks a permanent establishment, a commemoration, or the founding of something important. This is different from just “placing” an object; 竖 implies intention, permanence, and a vertical relationship with the earth and sky.

Comparison to “Vertical”: In English, “vertical” is a static descriptor, while “to erect” is a specific action. The Chinese character 竖 (shù) fluidly combines both the state and the action. This reflects a worldview where direction and action are deeply intertwined. When you 竖 something, you are not just changing its position; you are defining its verticality and establishing its presence.

Learning to Write: When Chinese children learn to write, they are taught the basic strokes, starting with 横 (héng - horizontal) and 竖 (shù - vertical).

Physical Actions: It is commonly used with the particle 起 (qǐ) to indicate successful action.

竖起 (shùqǐ): To stand something up. Example: `他把梯子竖了起来。` (Tā bǎ tīzi shù le qǐlái.) - He stood the ladder up.

Describing Layout: It is used as an adjective to describe vertical orientation.

竖排 (shùpái): Vertical layout, as seen in traditional texts, signs, and art.

竖线 (shùxiàn): A vertical line.

Expressing Emotion (Colloquial):

竖起耳朵 (shùqǐ ěrduo): “To prick up one's ears.” To listen very intently.

竖起眉毛 (shùqǐ méimao): “To raise one's eyebrows (in anger).” A sign of becoming angry or stern.

Example 1:

写“十”字，要先写横，再写竖。

Pinyin: Xiě “shí” zì, yào xiān xiě héng, zài xiě shù.

English: To write the character for “ten” (十), you must first write the horizontal stroke, then the vertical stroke.

Analysis: This is a classic instructional sentence for learning Chinese characters, treating 竖 as a noun for the vertical stroke.

Example 2:

工人们正在路边竖一块新的交通标志。

Pinyin: Gōngrénmen zhèngzài lùbiān shù yī kuài xīn de jiāotōng biāozhì.

English: The workers are erecting a new traffic sign by the roadside.

Analysis: Here, 竖 is a verb meaning “to erect” or “to set upright,” used for long, thin objects like signs or poles.

Example 3:

听到奇怪的声音，小猫立刻竖起了耳朵。

Pinyin: Tīngdào qíguài de shēngyīn, xiǎo māo lìkè shùqǐ le ěrduo.

English: Upon hearing a strange sound, the kitten immediately pricked up its ears.

Analysis: This is a common and vivid figurative use. The verb `竖起 (shùqǐ)` means “to make stand up,” applied to ears to mean listening intently.

Example 4:

请在这里画一条竖线。

Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhèlǐ huà yī tiáo shù xiàn.

English: Please draw a vertical line here.

Analysis: In this sentence, 竖 functions as an adjective modifying “line” (线, xiàn) to specify its orientation.

Example 5:

他听了我的话，气得眉毛都竖起来了。

Pinyin: Tā tīngle wǒ de huà, qì de méimao dōu shù qǐlái le.

English: After hearing what I said, he got so angry his eyebrows shot up.

Analysis: A colloquial expression for getting angry. `竖起眉毛 (shùqǐ méimao)` is a physical sign of anger or sternness.

Example 6:

别忘了把旗子竖在营地门口。

Pinyin: Bié wàngle bǎ qízi shù zài yíngdì ménkǒu.

English: Don't forget to set up the flag at the entrance of the camp.

Analysis: This shows 竖 used as a verb of placement, emphasizing the upright position of the flag.

Example 7:

这本书是竖排的，要从右往左读。

Pinyin: Zhè běn shū shì shùpái de, yào cóng yòu wǎng zuǒ dú.

English: This book has a vertical layout; you have to read it from right to left.

Analysis: 竖排 (shùpái) is a compound noun/adjective describing the traditional vertical text format.

Example 8:

他向我竖起了大拇指，表示赞同。

Pinyin: Tā xiàng wǒ shùqǐ le dà mǔzhǐ, biǎoshì zàntóng.

English: He gave me a thumbs-up to show his approval.

Analysis: 竖起大拇指 (shùqǐ dà mǔzhǐ) is the standard phrase for “to give a thumbs-up,” a universal gesture of approval.

Example 9:

看到那可怕的景象，我吓得汗毛都竖起来了。

Pinyin: Kàndào nà kěpà de jǐngxiàng, wǒ xià de hànmáo dōu shù qǐlái le.

English: Seeing that terrifying sight, I was so scared the hairs on my arm stood on end.

Analysis: A vivid expression for extreme fear, directly equivalent to the English idiom “hair standing on end.”

Example 10:

我们要为年轻人竖一个好榜样。

Pinyin: Wǒmen yào wèi niánqīngrén shù yī gè hǎo bǎngyàng.

English: We need to set a good example for the young people.

Analysis: A more abstract, formal usage. Here, `竖` is a synonym for `树立 (shùlì)`, meaning “to establish” or “to set up” an intangible concept like an example or model.

`竖 (shù)` vs. `立 (lì)`: This is a common point of confusion.

竖 (shù) focuses on the action of making something vertical and the orientation itself. It's often used for long, thin objects like poles, signs, or fingers. Think of it as “to make stand up.”

立 (lì) means “to stand” or “to be established.” It describes the state of standing and is broader and often more abstract. You 竖 a flagpole so that it can 立 (lì) on the ground. You `建立 (jiànlì)` a company (establish), you don't `建竖` it.

`竖 (shù)` vs. `直 (zhí)`: Do not confuse “vertical” with “straight.”

竖 (shù) means vertical (up-and-down).

直 (zhí) means straight (not crooked or bent) in any direction.

Correct: `一条竖线` (yī tiáo shù xiàn) - a vertical line.

Correct: `一条直线` (yī tiáo zhí xiàn) - a straight line (can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).

Incorrect: `一条横的竖线` (yī tiáo héng de shù xiàn) - This is a contradiction, “a horizontal vertical line.”

横 (héng) - The direct antonym of `竖`, meaning “horizontal.” The two form a fundamental pair in Chinese.

立 (lì) - A close synonym meaning “to stand” or “to establish,” but focusing more on the state of being than the action of erecting.

笔画 (bǐhuà) - “Stroke.” The category of written elements to which `竖` belongs.

竖起 (shùqǐ) - A common resultative verb compound meaning “to successfully stand (something) up.”

竖立 (shùlì) - A more formal verb meaning “to erect” or “to establish,” often used for monuments, statues, or abstract concepts like reputation.

垂直 (chuízhí) - A more technical or scientific term for “vertical” or “perpendicular.”

纵 (zòng) - Another character meaning “vertical” or “lengthwise,” often used in contrast to `横 (héng)` in words like `纵横 (zònghéng)` (crisscross, everywhere).