死 sǐ
“to die; impassable; uncrossable”
verb, adjective, verb / noun, adverbHSK 4 · 2021 list level 3
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
死 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1703: 死 sǐ — Level 4; official annotation 4（5） (动、形、（副）). PDF page 122
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 死
死 means “to die” and is an intransitive verb used for people, animals, and plants. In a simple sentence it usually appears as Subject + 死 + 了, as in 他死了. It does not take the person or animal that dies as its object.
例句Example sentences
- 他的爷爷去年死了。tā de yé ye qù nián sǐ le.His grandfather died last year.
- 那棵树死了，因为很久没有下雨。nà kē shù sǐ le, yīn wèi hěn jiǔ méi yǒu xià yǔ.That tree died because it hadn't rained for a long time.
- 鱼离开水就会死。yú lí kāi shuǐ jiù huì sǐ.Fish will die if they leave the water.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗他死了他的狗。
✓他的狗死了。
死 is intransitive; the living thing that dies is the subject, not the object.
-
✗我的狗死。
✓我的狗死了。
In a simple statement of a change or result, 死 is normally followed by 了.