Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 射 | shè |
| 射擊 / 射击 | shèjī |
The core verb 射 describes the action of shooting. Depending on your specific intent, other terms may be more appropriate: use 射殺 if you mean to shoot and kill an animal or person or use 拍摄 when referring to the formal act of filming or photography. In Cantonese, the phrase 開槍 is used to mean shoot or open fire.
Which one should you use?
While 射 is the basic verb for the action, 射擊 is a formal or technical term used to refer to the sport of shooting, target practice or the specific act of marksmanship.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you should use 開槍 to express the idea of shooting or opening fire.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 射 is a transitive verb that often requires an object to sound natural, it is frequently paired with the noun for arrow (箭 jiàn) to form the common phrase 射箭 for 'to shoot arrows'.
How do you pronounce it?
shè
Did you know?
- In modern slang, 射 is frequently used as a euphemism for male ejaculation, making the word potentially awkward if used without a clear object like 'arrow'.
- In Cantonese, the phrase 開槍 is used to mean shoot. It literally means 'to open the gun', treating the act of firing like opening a lock or a door.
- The character 射 is a visual history of archery. Its ancient form was a picture combining a bow and an arrow, and later, a hand pulling the bowstring was added.
Examples in context
- 你想射殺湯姆嗎？Did you mean to shoot Tom?This sentence uses 射 to clarify an intent to shoot someone.Tatoeba #13137876 by LeviHighway, translation #12236070 by CK
- 我要射了！I am going to shoot!This sentence uses 射 to express the intent to shoot.Tatoeba #6321861 by xjjAstrus, translation #9408743 by BobbyLee
- 惜秦皇汉武，略输文采；唐宗宋祖，稍逊风骚。一代天骄，成吉思汗，只识弯弓射大雕。俱往矣，数风流人物，还看今朝。Emperor Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, though remarkable in their achievements, somewhat lacked in literary grace, Emperor Taizong of Tang and Emperor Taizu of Song, though commendable in their elegance, still fall slightly short in their brilliance. The proud conqueror, Genghis Khan, knew only how to bend the bow and shoot great eagles. All of them are now bygone, and if you want to count the truly remarkable figures, look to the present age.This sentence uses 射 in a literary context regarding the act of shooting eagles with a bow.Tatoeba #12705139 by Duyu09, translation #12717075 by Duyu09
- 我在拍摄一部电影I am shooting a movie
- 他喜欢射击运动He enjoys shooting for sport
- 把球射进篮筐Shoot the ball into the basket
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are practicing archery together.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，准备好射箭了吗？Wěi, zhǔnbèi hǎo shè jiàn le ma?Wei, are you ready to shoot the arrow?
- 伟 Wei准备好了，我现在就射。Zhǔnbèi hǎo le, wǒ xiànzài jiù shè.I'm ready, I'll shoot now.
- 梓涵 Zihan记得瞄準紅心再射。Jìde miáozhǔn hóngxīn zài shè.Remember to aim for the bullseye before you shoot.
- 伟 Wei我知道，看我的表現吧！Wǒ zhīdào, kàn wǒ de biǎoxiàn ba!I know, just watch me!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoot” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 射, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
