使 (shǐ) - to cause, to make, to enable & to send, to dispatch
使 · shǐ
to cause, to make, to enable;
to send, to dispatch;
to use, to employ;
an envoy, a messenger
to cause, to make, to enableto send, to dispatchto use, to employ
Usage highlights
to useto cause, to makeenvoy, ambassadorto dispatchto enableeven if
Usage & contexts
Examples
- Please make him come (使他来).
- The government sent an envoy (派遣使者).
- This tool is easy to use (这个工具使用方便).
- He works as a diplomat (他担任外交使节).
Collocations
- to use(使用)
- to cause, to make(使)
- envoy, ambassador(使者)
- to dispatch(派遣)
- to enable(使得)
- even if(即使)
Idioms
- To see through the nature of things at a glance(明察秋毫之末，而不见舆薪，则王许之乎？曰：否。今恩足以及禽兽，而功不至于百姓者，独何与？然则一羽之不举，为不用力焉；舆薪之不见，为不用明焉；百姓之不见保，为不用恩焉。故王之不王，不为也，非不能也。曰：不为者与不能者之形何以异？曰：挟太山以超北海，语人曰‘我不能’，是诚不能也。为长者折枝，语人曰‘我不能’，是不为也，非不能也。故王之不王，非挟太山以超北海之类也；王之不王，是折枝之类也。老吾老，以及人之老；幼吾幼，以及人之幼。天下可运于掌。诗云：‘刑于寡妻，至于兄弟，以御于家邦。’言举斯心加诸彼而已。故推恩足以保四海，不推恩无以保妻子。古之人所以大过人者无他焉，善推其所为而已矣。今恩足以及禽兽，而功不至于百姓者，独何与？权，然后知轻重；度，然后知长短。物皆然，心为甚。王请度之！抑王兴甲兵，危士臣，构怨于诸侯，然后快于心与？王曰：否。吾何快于是？将以求吾所大欲也。曰：王之所大欲可得闻与？王笑而不言。曰：为肥甘不足于口与？轻暖不足于体与？抑为采色不足视于目与？声音不足听于耳与？便嬖不足使令于前与？王之诸臣皆足以供之，而王岂为是哉？曰：否。吾不为是也。曰：然则王之所大欲可知已。欲辟土地，朝秦楚，莅中国而抚四夷也。以若所为求若所欲，犹缘木而求鱼也。王曰：若是其甚与？曰：殆有甚焉。缘木求鱼，虽不得鱼，无后灾。以若所为求若所欲，尽心力而为之，后必有灾。曰：可得闻与？曰：邹人与楚人战，则王以为孰胜？曰：楚人胜。曰：然则小固不可以敌大，寡固不可以敌众，弱固不可以敌强。海内之地方千里者九，齐集有其一。以一服八，何以异于邹敌楚哉？盖亦反其本矣。今王发政施仁，使天下仕者皆欲立于王之朝，耕者皆欲耕于王之野，商贾皆欲藏于王之市，行旅皆欲出于王之涂，天下之欲疾其君者皆欲赴愬于王。其若是，孰能御之？)
- To act as one pleases(为所欲为)
- Even if, even though(即使)
- To make the best use of everything(物尽其用，人尽其才，地尽其利，货畅其流)
Cultural background
FAQ- In ancient China, an 'envoy' (使者) was a crucial diplomatic role, representing the state and carrying out missions.
- The character embodies concepts of agency, causation, and utility, reflecting practical philosophy.
- Frequently appears in classical texts discussing statecraft, diplomacy, and human relationships.