鞋

• Pinyin: xié
• Hanzi breakdown: 鞋 = 革 (leather) + 圭 (jade tablet, phonetic component)

Meaning

Shoe; shoes. General term for footwear.

The basic word for shoes in Chinese. Often combined with other characters to specify types: 皮鞋 (leather shoes), 运动鞋 (sneakers), 拖鞋 (slippers). The measure word is 双 (pair) or 只 (single shoe). Removing shoes indoors is a common Chinese custom.

Examples

1. 这双鞋很好看。 This pair of shoes looks great.
2. 请在门口换鞋。 Please change your shoes at the door.
3. 我想买一双新鞋。 I want to buy a new pair of shoes.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, shopping, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的鞋真好看。(Your shoes look really nice.)
• 进屋请换鞋。(Please change your shoes when entering the house.)

Don't Say

• 说一个鞋 (Don't say 一个鞋 — use the measure word 双 for a pair: 一双鞋, or 只 for a single shoe: 一只鞋)

Origin & History

鞋 combines 革 (gé, leather) + 圭 (guī, phonetic). The leather radical reflects that shoes were traditionally made of animal hide.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal