实事求是 (shíshìqiúshì) · to seek truth from facts

实事求是 (shíshìqiúshì) means “to seek truth from facts; be realistic”. It is written with 4 characters: 实 (real) + 事 (matter) + 求 (to ask (a favor)) + 是 (to be). It is an old HSK 6 word (HSK 2.0).

How 实事求是 is built

The characters

实 shí · real

What 实 is made of

宀 — roof
- 丶 — dot
- 冖mì — cover
头tóu — head
- ⺀ — ice
- 大dà — big
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 人rén — person

事 shì · matter

What 事 is made of

一 — horizontal stroke
口kǒu — mouth
- 冂 — frame
  - 丨 — vertical stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
彐jì — snout
- 二 — two strokes
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
亅 — hook

求 qiú · to ask (a favor)

What 求 is made of

一 — horizontal stroke
氺shui — structural part
- 亅 — hook

是 shì · to be

What 是 is made of

日rì — sun; day
- 口kǒu — mouth
  - 冂 — frame
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
疋pǐ — foot shape

Origin hint: To speak 日 directly 疋 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

Example sentences

我们做事要实事求是。Wǒmen zuòshì yào shíshìqiúshì.We should be realistic and practical in what we do.

他实事求是地说出了问题。Tā shíshìqiúshì de shuōchū le wèntí.He stated the problem honestly and factually.

Questions about 实事求是

What does 实事求是 mean?

实事求是 (shíshìqiúshì) means “to seek truth from facts; be realistic”.

How do you pronounce 实事求是?

实事求是 is pronounced shíshìqiúshì.

Which HSK level is 实事求是?

实事求是 is in Old HSK 6.

Related words

Learn 实事求是 with its group

It is part of Old HSK 6 · Group 165: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

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