verb HSK 5
to shave · to shave off
Meaning
剃 means to shave or remove hair using a razor or similar tool. It's commonly used for shaving facial hair, heads, or other body parts. The character combines the knife radical (刀) with the phonetic component 弟, indicating a cutting action.
Usage
剃 is typically used in compounds rather than alone. Most commonly heard in 剃头 (to get a haircut/shave one's head) and 剃须 (to shave facial hair). It specifically refers to using a razor or clippers to remove hair completely, not just trimming.
Examples
- 01他每天早上都要剃须。.He shaves his facial hair every morning.
- 02为了拍电影，那个演员把头发剃光了。, .To film the movie, that actor shaved his head completely bald.
Common collocations
- 剃头to shave one's head, to get a haircut
- 剃须to shave (facial hair)
- 剃光to shave completely bald
- 剃刀razor
Antonyms
Origin
The character contains the knife radical 刀 (dāo) on the right side, indicating a cutting tool, combined with 弟 (dì) as a phonetic component. This reflects the action of cutting or shaving with a blade.