信 Stroke Order — How to Write 信
信 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 亻, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
信 Radical and Character Components
Radical: 亻 + 7 more strokes
信 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xìn
- shēn
Meanings of 信 in Chinese
1
xìn信
To be honest and trustworthy; to keep promises or commitments, often referring to credibility or integrity.
在商业往来中，良好的信用是成功的基础。
In business dealings, good credit is the foundation of success.
To not doubt, to believe someone or something is reliable; to trust, have confidence, or faith.
我们应该相信自己的选择。
We should trust our own choices.
to believe in; to have faith in; a follower or believer
他是一个虔诚的信徒。
He is a devout believer.
News, information, or a message.
我们一直在等你的消息，请尽快回信告知近况。
We've been waiting for your news; please reply soon to let us know your recent situation.
Letter; mail; correspondence.
我今天收到了一封来自朋友的信。
Today I received a letter from a friend.
Unrestrainedly; freely; at will (used with words like 'walk', 'write', 'do')
他在花园里信步走着。
He was strolling leisurely in the garden.
When pronounced 'xìn', this character can refer to the core or wick, similar to '芯' (xīn), though this usage is less common in modern Mandarin and might be considered archaic or specific to certain dialects or literary contexts.
他轻轻拨弄着油灯的烛信，让火光更明亮些。
He gently adjusted the oil lamp's wick, making the flame brighter.
2
shēn信
To stretch or extend, similar to '伸' (shēn). This usage is archaic or literary.
他信臂取物。
He stretched out his arm to retrieve the item.
Equivalent to '伸' (shēn), meaning to express, declare, or reveal, especially one's thoughts or feelings.
他终于鼓起勇气，向她信明了爱意
He finally mustered the courage to declare his love to her.
Common Words and Phrases with 信
1
write freely
他信笔写下几行诗句，表达了此刻的感受。
He casually wrote down a few lines of poetry, expressing his feelings at that moment.
2
A beacon; a device that emits light or radio signals to guide navigation or mark a location.
渔民们依靠海岸上的信标，在夜间安全返航
Fishermen rely on the coastal beacon to navigate safely back at night.
3
walk aimlessly; stroll leisurely
吃过晚饭，他喜欢在公园里信步，享受夜晚的宁静
After dinner, he enjoys strolling aimlessly in the park, savoring the tranquility of the night.
4
a wall letter-holder
这个手工制作的信插，非常适合挂在门厅，用来整理日常信件。
This handmade letter rack is perfect for hanging in the entryway to organize daily mail.
5
A messenger or mailman; an older term for someone who delivers documents or letters.
信差将包裹送到了我的家门口
The courier delivered the package to my doorstep.
6
Credit, especially referring to bank loans or other lending activities.
银行正在审查客户的信贷申请，以评估其还款能力。
The bank is reviewing the customer's credit application to assess their repayment ability.
7
letters and visits from the public to state organs to report problems or make complaints
社区居民可以通过信访渠道，反映他们在生活中遇到的困难和建议
Community residents can use the petitioning channels to report difficulties and offer suggestions they encounter in their daily lives.
8
A persistent wind blowing from the same direction, especially from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, found in the tropics.
在古代，航海者们利用信风的稳定方向来推动他们的船只横渡海洋。
In ancient times, navigators utilized the stable direction of the trade winds to propel their ships across the oceans.
9
To believe in and follow a religion, doctrine, or principle.
他信奉健康的生活方式，每天坚持锻炼。
He believes in a healthy lifestyle and insists on exercising daily.
10
To be convinced and accept; to believe and admire.
他的论点很有力，让人不得不信服
His arguments are very strong, making people have to be convinced.
11
A type of pigeon trained to carry messages and return to its home loft over long distances.
信鸽凭借其出色的方向感，能够在比赛中快速飞回鸽舍。
Homing pigeons, with their excellent sense of direction, can quickly fly back to their loft in races.
12
Letter; correspondence
我今天收到了一封重要的信函，需要尽快回复。
I received an important letter today that requires a prompt reply.
13
A signal is a sign, action, or physical quantity that conveys information or initiates a response.
他向我们发出了离开的信号。
He gave us the signal to leave.
14
information, news, or message
自从他去远方求学后，家里就一直盼望着他的信耗
Since he went to study in a distant place, his family has been eagerly awaiting news from him.
15
A signal flare is a pyrotechnic device, often with unique colors and properties, used to send a signal.
他们在海上迷失方向后，发射了一枚信号弹寻求帮助。
After losing their way at sea, they fired a signal flare to ask for help.
16
letter paper
她从书桌的抽屉里拿出一张带有花纹的信笺，准备给朋友写一封长信。
She took a patterned sheet of stationery from her desk drawer, preparing to write a long letter to her friend.
More words with 信
- chǒng宠xìn信to favor and trust, to shower favor upon and trust
- dǔ笃xìn信Firmly believe, Deep faith
- hè贺xìn信A congratulatory letter.
- píng凭xìn信to trust; to believe in
- qián虔xìn信Pious belief or devout faith.
- què确xìn信Be certain, Be sure
- shāo捎xìn信deliver a message, carry a letter
- xiě写xìn信to write a letter
- zhì置xìn信to trust; to believe
- jī鸡máo毛xìn信Urgent military dispatch, Express letter
- nì匿míng名xìn信anonymous letter
- chóng崇xìn信worship, venerate
- gēng庚xìn信Geng Xin
- bī逼gòng供xìn信forced confession
- jiè介shào绍xìn信Letter of introduction
- xìn信jiàn件letter, mail
- xìn信lài赖trust, reliance
- xìn信niàn念belief, conviction
- xìn信tú徒believer, follower
- xìn信xī息Information, Message
Idioms with 信
- xìn信bǐ笔tú涂yā鸦to scribble or doodle carelessly
- xìn信ér而hào好gǔ古believe in and cherish antiquity
- xìn信ér而yǒu有zhēng征reliable and verifiable with evidence
- xìn信kǒu口cí雌huáng黄speak carelessly and irresponsibly
- xìn信kǒu口hú胡yán言talk nonsense and speak irresponsibly
- xìn信kǒu口kāi开hé河talk glibly or carelessly
- xìn信mǎ马yóu由jiāng缰Letting a horse wander at will
- xìn信mǎ马yóu游jiāng缰drift along aimlessly
- xìn信shǐ使wǎng往lái来messengers coming and going
- xìn信shì誓dàn旦dàn旦to make a solemn vow
- xìn信shǒu手niān拈lái来to use or pick up effortlessly
- xìn信yǐ以wéi为zhēn真believe something to be true
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Open the tool →Questions about 信
What does 信 mean in Chinese?
信 (xìn) means “To be honest and trustworthy” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 信?
信 has 2 pronunciations: xìn, shēn.
How many strokes does 信 have?
信 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 信?
信 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 亻. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 信?
The radical of 信 is 亻.