verb HSK 4
Traditional 書寫
shū xiě
to write · to inscribe · writing

Meaning

书写 means to write or the act of writing, particularly referring to the physical act of putting pen to paper or forming characters. It emphasizes the manual skill and process of writing, whether by hand or other means. The word carries a slightly more formal or literary tone than the basic verb 写.

Usage

书写 is commonly used in formal or written contexts to describe the act of writing, especially when emphasizing proper penmanship or the quality of handwriting. It often appears in educational settings when discussing writing skills or in instructions about filling out forms. Native speakers might say 书写工整 (neat handwriting) or use it when describing calligraphy or careful writing.

Examples

  1. 01
    请用黑色钢笔书写姓名和地址。
    Qǐng yòng hēisè gāngbǐ shū xiě xìngmíng dìzhǐ.
    Please write your name and address with a black pen.
  2. 02
    他的汉字书写非常工整漂亮。
    de Hànzì shū xiě fēicháng gōngzhěng piàoliang.
    His Chinese character writing is very neat and beautiful.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 书写工整
    shū xiě gōng zhěng
    neat handwriting
  • 书写能力
    shū xiě néng
    writing ability
  • 书写习惯
    shū xiě guàn
    writing habits
  • 用...书写
    yòng ... shū xiě
    to write with/in...

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to writing: 书 originally depicted a hand holding a writing brush, while 写 contains the component 宀 (roof) suggesting writing done indoors at a desk. Together they form a compound emphasizing the formal act of writing.

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