输

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shū: 输 - To Lose, Transport, Input

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: shu, 输, lose in Chinese, how to say lose, transport in Chinese, input, defeat, be defeated, shūrù, shūle, Chinese verb for lose
  • Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese character 输 (shū), which most commonly means “to lose” a game, but also forms the basis for words like “to transport” goods and “to input” data. This comprehensive guide explores its use in everyday conversation, from sports to business, and delves into the cultural significance of winning and losing in China. Discover how 输 (shū) is used in essential words like “input” (输入) and “transport” (运输), making it a crucial character for every beginner's vocabulary.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shū
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 3
  • Concise Definition: To lose, be defeated; to transport, convey; to input.
  • In a Nutshell: 输 (shū) is the word you'll hear constantly in any competitive setting in China. It's the direct and simple way to say you've lost a game, an argument, or a bet. It carries a clear sense of defeat. However, 输 (shū) has a second, equally important identity related to movement and transfer. Think of it as “transferring” data into a computer (输入 shūrù), “transferring” goods across the country (运输 yùnshū), or even “transferring” blood to a patient (输血 shūxuè). The context will always make the meaning clear.

Character Breakdown

  • 输 (shū) is a phono-semantic compound character, meaning one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.
  • 车 (chē): The radical on the left means “car” or “vehicle.” This provides the core semantic meaning related to transport and movement.
  • 俞 (yú): The component on the right originally meant something like “to hollow out a log to make a canoe,” implying passage or conveyance. It primarily provides the phonetic sound for shū.
  • Together, 车 (vehicle) + 俞 (passage) originally created a strong image of transportation. The abstract meaning of “to lose” can be thought of as your advantage, points, or resources being “transported” away to your opponent.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, the concept of “losing” is often tied to the idea of 面子 (miànzi) - “face” or social standing. While in the West, the saying “It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game” is common, the pressure to not 输 (shū) can be significantly higher in many Chinese contexts, such as academics or business negotiations.
  • Losing a major competition or failing a critical exam might be seen not just as a personal setback, but as causing the family or school to “lose face” (丢脸 diūliǎn).
  • This leads to the culturally significant term 输不起 (shū bù qǐ), which literally means “can't afford to lose.” It can describe someone who is a “sore loser,” but it also describes a high-stakes situation where the consequences of losing are dire. This highlights a cultural value where persistence and the drive to succeed are extremely important. The Western concept of “failing forward” or celebrating failure as a learning opportunity is becoming more popular in China, but the traditional aversion to 输 (shū) remains strong.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 输 (shū) is an incredibly common word used across many domains of life.
  • Competitions and Games (Most Common):
    • Used for sports, video games, board games, gambling, etc.
    • Example: “昨晚的足球比赛我们输了。” (Zuówǎn de zúqiú bǐsài wǒmen shū le.) - “We lost last night's soccer match.”
  • Arguments and Debates:
    • Used informally when you concede a point or admit someone has won an argument.
    • Example: “好吧，我输了，你说的对。” (Hǎo ba, wǒ shū le, nǐ shuō de duì.) - “Alright, I lose, you're right.”
  • Technical and Formal Usage (Transport/Input):
    • This meaning almost always appears in compound words. You would not use 输 (shū) alone to mean “transport.”
    • 输入 (shūrù): to input (e.g., a password, data)
    • 运输 (yùnshū): to transport (e.g., goods, cargo)
    • 输血 (shūxuè): to transfuse blood
    • 输电 (shūdiàn): to transmit electricity

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我输了。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ shū le.
    • English: I lost.
    • Analysis: The simplest and most common usage. The particle “了 (le)” indicates the completed action of losing.
  • Example 2:
    • 这次比赛他输给了我。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì bǐsài tā shū gěi le wǒ.
    • English: He lost to me in this competition.
    • Analysis: The structure “输给 (shū gěi) + [person]” means “to lose to [person]”. This is a very common pattern.
  • Example 3:
    • 请输入您的用户名和密码。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng shūrù nín de yònghù míng hé mìmǎ.
    • English: Please input your username and password.
    • Analysis: This shows the “input” meaning in the compound word 输入 (shūrù). You will see this on almost every login screen in China.
  • Example 4:
    • 他这个人很输不起，一打牌就生气。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén hěn shū bù qǐ, yī dǎpái jiù shēngqì.
    • English: He's a real sore loser; he gets angry as soon as he plays cards.
    • Analysis: Here, 输不起 (shū bù qǐ) is used as an adjective phrase to describe someone's character.
  • Example 5:
    • 这家公司负责输送天然气。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī fùzé shūsòng tiānránqì.
    • English: This company is responsible for transporting natural gas.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the “transport” meaning in the word 输送 (shūsòng), which is very similar to 运输 (yùnshū).
  • Example 6:
    • 别担心，我们不会输的。
    • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒmen bù huì shū de.
    • English: Don't worry, we won't lose.
    • Analysis: “不会…的 (bù huì…de)” is a common structure to express confidence that something will not happen.
  • Example 7:
    • 医生说病人需要马上输血。
    • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō bìngrén xūyào mǎshàng shūxuè.
    • English: The doctor said the patient needs an immediate blood transfusion.
    • Analysis: A critical medical term, 输血 (shūxuè), literally “transport blood”.
  • Example 8:
    • 在价格战上，小公司总是输给大公司。
    • Pinyin: Zài jiàgé zhàn shàng, xiǎo gōngsī zǒng shì shū gěi dà gōngsī.
    • English: In a price war, small companies always lose to big companies.
    • Analysis: This is a great example of using 输 (shū) in a business or metaphorical context.
  • Example 9:
    • 中国的父母不希望孩子输在起跑线上。
    • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de fùmǔ bù xīwàng háizi shū zài qǐpǎoxiàn shàng.
    • English: Chinese parents don't want their children to lose at the starting line.
    • Analysis: A very famous and culturally significant phrase in China, reflecting the immense pressure in the education system.
  • Example 10:
    • 我宁可输掉比赛，也不愿意作弊。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ nìngkě shū diào bǐsài, yě bù yuànyì zuòbì.
    • English: I would rather lose the match than cheat.
    • Analysis: “宁可 (nìngkě)… 也 (yě)…” means “would rather… than…”. 输掉 (shū diào) is a common resultative complement, emphasizing the result of losing.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • “Losing a Game” vs. “Losing an Object”: This is the most common mistake for learners.
    • 输 (shū) is used for losing a competition, game, or abstract contest.
    • 失去 (shīqù) or 丢 (diū) is used for losing a physical object or possession.
    • Incorrect: 我输了我的手机。(Wǒ shū le wǒ de shǒujī.) This sounds like you bet your phone on a game and lost it.
    • Correct: 我把手机丢了。(Wǒ bǎ shǒujī diū le.) - I lost my phone.
    • Correct: 我失去了我的工作。(Wǒ shīqù le wǒ de gōngzuò.) - I lost my job.
  • Not Recognizing the “Transport/Input” Meaning: A beginner might see 输血 (shūxuè) and guess “lose blood” instead of “transfuse blood”. Remember that when 输 (shū) is part of a two-character word, especially a technical one, it very often means transport, transfer, or input.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `赢 (yíng)` - The direct antonym of 输: “to win.”
  • `失败 (shībài)` - A more formal term for “failure” or “to be defeated.” Often used for larger ventures, like a project or a business failing.
  • `打败 (dǎbài)` - “To defeat” someone; the action of making someone else 输.
  • `认输 (rènshū)` - “To admit defeat,” “to concede,” “to give up.”
  • `输入 (shūrù)` - “To input.” A key compound word showing the “transport” meaning of 输.
  • `运输 (yùnshū)` - “To transport,” “transportation.” Another essential compound word.
  • `失去 (shīqù)` - “To lose” an object, a person, or an abstract concept like hope. Used for possessions, not competitions.
  • `输不起 (shū bù qǐ)` - “Can't afford to lose” or “sore loser.” A culturally important phrase.