shuā: 刷 - To Brush, Swipe, Scroll

• Keywords: shuā Chinese, 刷 meaning, how to use shuā, swipe card in Chinese, scroll phone in Chinese, brush teeth Chinese, 刷牙, 刷卡, 刷手机, 刷脸, Chinese internet slang
• Summary: The Chinese verb 刷 (shuā) is a dynamic and essential word that has evolved from its core meaning of “to brush” or “to scrub.” In modern China, while it still means to brush your teeth or paint a wall, its most common uses are in the digital and consumer worlds. Learn how 刷 (shuā) is the key to everything from “swiping” a credit card and “scrolling” through your phone, to “grinding” in a video game and even “paying with your face.” This page breaks down its versatile meanings, from the literal to the latest internet slang.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shuā
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To brush, scrub, or paint; to swipe (a card); to scroll (a screen).
• In a Nutshell: Imagine the quick, repetitive, back-and-forth motion of a brush. This is the core feeling of `刷 (shuā)`. This single action has been adapted from physical tasks like cleaning shoes to almost every key interaction in modern life. It’s the verb for swiping your metro card, scrolling through TikTok, refreshing a webpage, or even repeatedly trying to beat a level in a game. It's a word of action, repetition, and modern convenience.

• The character 刷 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives a hint of the meaning and the other a hint of the sound.
• Right side (刂): This is a variant of the radical 刀 (dāo), meaning “knife” or “tool.” This component provides the core sense of action—using a tool to scrape, clean, or act upon a surface.
• Left side: This component is more complex and primarily provides the phonetic sound `shuā`.
• Together, the character visually suggests the action of using a tool (刀) to perform a repeated action, which perfectly aligns with its meaning of “to brush” or “to scrape.”

The evolution of `刷 (shuā)` is a perfect reflection of China's rapid modernization. What was once a simple, agricultural/manual labor verb has become the cornerstone of its digital and consumer economy.

• From Manual to Digital: In the past, the most common uses were `刷墙` (shuā qiáng - to paint a wall) or `刷鞋` (shuā xié - to brush shoes). With economic reform, `刷卡` (shuākǎ - to swipe a card) became a symbol of a new consumer lifestyle. Today, the most frequent use is arguably `刷手机` (shuā shǒujī - to scroll on the phone), reflecting the country's hyper-connected, mobile-first society.
• A New Kind of “Mindless” Action: In English, we might say “I'm scrolling on my phone” or “I'm browsing TikTok.” The Chinese term `刷手机` captures this, but the feeling of `刷` is more active and almost percussive, like a repetitive flicking motion. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of mindlessly passing time, similar to the English concept of “doomscrolling.”
• “Brushing for Existence” - A Modern Anxiety: A fascinating piece of internet slang is 刷存在感 (shuā cúnzàigǎn), which literally translates to “brushing for a sense of existence.” It describes someone who constantly posts, comments, or tries to get noticed online to feel validated and seen. This phrase powerfully captures a universal modern anxiety about being relevant in the digital age, making it a much more evocative term than the English “attention-seeking.”

`刷` is used in countless daily situations. Here are the main categories:

This is the most literal use, referring to cleaning or coating something with a brush.

• Connotation: Neutral, descriptive.
• Examples: Brushing teeth (`刷牙`), cleaning shoes (`刷鞋`), painting a house (`刷房子`).

This is one of the most common modern uses, referring to the “swipe” or “tap” action of a card or device.

• Connotation: Neutral, transactional.
• Examples: Paying by credit card (`刷卡`), tapping a metro card (`刷公交卡`), or the cutting-edge `刷脸支付` (shuāliǎn zhīfù - to pay with your face).

This refers to the repetitive actions we do on our screens.

• Connotation: Usually neutral, but can be slightly negative (implying wasting time).
• Examples: Scrolling on your phone (`刷手机`), refreshing a webpage (`刷新网页`), “liking” posts (`刷赞`), or spamming comments (`刷评论`).

In gaming culture, `刷` is the equivalent of “grinding” or “farming.”

• Connotation: Neutral, gaming jargon.
• Examples: Grinding a dungeon for loot (`刷副本`), repeatedly fighting monsters for experience points (`刷怪`).

This use extends the idea of “repetition” to more abstract concepts.

• Connotation: Often negative.
• Examples: `刷存在感` (seeking attention online), or being “brushed out” (`被刷下来了`), meaning to be eliminated or cut from a selection process (like a job interview or competition).

• Example 1:
  • 我每天早上都刷牙。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang dōu shuāyá.
  • English: I brush my teeth every morning.
  • Analysis: This is the most basic and literal use of `刷`. Here it is part of the set phrase `刷牙` (shuāyá - to brush teeth).
• Example 2:
  • 你好，可以刷卡吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo, kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?
  • English: Hello, can I pay by card? (Literally: “Can I swipe card?”)
  • Analysis: A crucial phrase for shopping in China. `刷卡` (shuākǎ) specifically means to pay with a plastic card (credit, debit, etc.).
• Example 3:
  • 我昨晚没事做，就一直在刷手机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuówǎn méishì zuò, jiù yìzhí zài shuā shǒujī.
  • English: I had nothing to do last night, so I was just scrolling on my phone the whole time.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of the modern, digital usage of `刷`. It implies a somewhat mindless, continuous action of browsing social media or news feeds.
• Example 4:
  • 这个网页打不开，你刷新一下试试。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wǎngyè dǎbukāi, nǐ shuāxīn yíxià shìshi.
  • English: This webpage won't open, try refreshing it.
  • Analysis: `刷新` (shuāxīn - literally “brush new”) is the standard term for refreshing a browser or app.
• Example 5:
  • 进地铁站需要刷公交卡或者手机二维码。
  • Pinyin: Jìn dìtiězhàn xūyào shuā gōngjiāokǎ huòzhě shǒujī èrwéimǎ.
  • English: To enter the subway station, you need to swipe a metro card or scan your phone's QR code.
  • Analysis: This shows the versatility of `刷` for access. While `扫` (sǎo - to scan) is more precise for QR codes, `刷` is often used colloquially for the same action.
• Example 6:
  • 为了得到那个稀有装备，他在游戏里刷了三天副本。
  • Pinyin: Wèile dédào nàge xīyǒu zhuāngbèi, tā zài yóuxì lǐ shuā le sāntiān fùběn.
  • English: In order to get that rare piece of equipment, he grinded the dungeon in the game for three days.
  • Analysis: This is the classic “gaming” usage. `刷副本` (shuā fùběn) means to repeatedly clear a dungeon to get rewards.
• Example 7:
  • 他又在朋友圈发自拍了，真会刷存在感。
  • Pinyin: Tā yòu zài Péngyǒuquān fā zìpāi le, zhēn huì shuā cúnzàigǎn.
  • English: He's posting selfies on his Moments again, he really knows how to get attention.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the powerful slang phrase `刷存在感` (shuā cúnzàigǎn), which has a negative connotation of being an attention-seeker.
• Example 8:
  • 这次面试竞争很激烈，很多人第一轮就被刷下来了。
  • Pinyin: Zhècì miànshì jìngzhēng hěn jīliè, hěnduō rén dìyī lún jiù bèi shuā xiàlai le.
  • English: The competition for this interview was fierce; a lot of people were eliminated in the first round.
  • Analysis: The passive structure `被刷下来` (bèi shuā xiàlai) means “to be brushed off/down,” a vivid way to say someone has been cut or rejected from a process.
• Example 9:
  • 我们需要一个油漆工来刷墙。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yíge yóuqīgōng lái shuā qiáng.
  • English: We need a painter to paint the walls.
  • Analysis: Another literal usage, `刷墙` (shuā qiáng) means to paint a wall, as it's done with a brush or roller in a repetitive motion.
• Example 10:
  • 这家餐厅现在支持刷脸支付，太方便了！
  • Pinyin: Zhèjiā cāntīng xiànzài zhīchí shuāliǎn zhīfù, tài fāngbiàn le!
  • English: This restaurant now supports facial recognition payment, it's so convenient!
  • Analysis: This showcases the most cutting-edge use of `刷`. `刷脸` (shuāliǎn - literally “brush face”) means to use facial recognition, usually for payment or access.

• Don't use `刷` for brushing hair. This is a classic mistake for learners. To brush or comb hair, you must use the verb 梳 (shū), as in `梳头发` (shū tóufa). `刷` implies a harder, scrubbing motion with bristles (like a toothbrush), whereas `梳` implies a gentler, detangling motion (like a comb).
  • Incorrect: 我去刷头发。(Wǒ qù shuā tóufa.)
  • Correct: 我去梳头发。(Wǒ qù shū tóufa.)
• Context is Everything. The sentence `我刷了一下` (Wǒ shuā le yíxià) is completely ambiguous without context. It could mean “I swiped my card,” “I scrolled for a bit,” or “I gave it a quick brush.” Always pay attention to the object of the verb or the surrounding situation to understand the meaning.
• `刷` vs. `扫 (sǎo)` for QR Codes: While `刷` can be used colloquially for QR codes (`刷二维码`), the more technically correct and common verb is 扫 (sǎo), which means “to scan.” `扫` implies a laser or camera reading something, which is what happens with a QR code. So, `扫二维码 (sǎo èrwéimǎ)` is the preferred and more precise term.

• 刷卡 (shuākǎ) - To swipe a card. A direct and common application of `刷`.
• 刷牙 (shuāyá) - To brush teeth. The most common literal use of `刷`.
• 刷新 (shuāxīn) - To refresh (a webpage, an app). A key term for the digital world.
• 梳 (shū) - To comb. The correct verb for hair; an important contrast to `刷`.
• 擦 (cā) - To wipe, rub, or polish. A related verb for cleaning, but `擦` involves a surface-wiping motion (like with a cloth), while `刷` involves bristles.
• 扫 (sǎo) - To scan. The more precise verb for QR codes and barcodes.
• 存在感 (cúnzàigǎn) - A sense of presence/existence. The noun used in the important slang phrase `刷存在感`.
• 支付 (zhīfù) - To pay. Often follows `刷`, as in `刷卡支付` (pay by card) or `刷脸支付` (pay by face).