How common it is
伸 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say shēn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
伸是指把身体的一部分向外展开或拉长。
Shēn shì zhǐ bǎ shēntǐ de yī bùfèn xiàng wài zhǎnkāi huò lācháng.
Stretch means to extend or lengthen a part of the body outward.
Context note
我们做早操的时候会伸胳膊和伸腿，让身体更灵活。
Wǒmen zuò zǎocāo de shíhou huì shēn gēbo hé shēn tuǐ, ràng shēntǐ gèng línghuó.
When we do morning exercises, we stretch our arms and legs to make our bodies more flexible.
5 examples
他伸了伸手，够到了书架上的书。
tā shēn le shēn shǒu， gòu dào le shū jià shàng de shū。
He stretched his hand and reached the book on the shelf.
小猫伸了个懒腰。
xiǎo māo shēn le gè lǎn yāo。
The kitten stretched its body.
请把手臂伸直。
qǐng bǎ shǒu bì shēn zhí。
Please stretch your arms straight.
她伸头看了看窗外。
tā shēn tóu kàn le kàn chuāng wài。
She stretched her head to look out the window.
运动前要伸一伸腿。
yùn dòng qián yào shēn yi shēn tuǐ。
You should stretch your legs before exercise.
5 mini stories
小兔子伸长了脖子吃树叶。它吃得真开心。
xiǎo tù zi shēn cháng le bó zi chī shù yè。 tā chī dé zhēn kāi xīn。
The little rabbit stretched its neck to eat leaves. It ate happily.
小明伸手指着天上的飞机。飞机飞得好快。
xiǎo míng shēn shǒu zhǐ zhe tiān shàng de fēi jī。 fēi jī fēi dé hǎo kuài。
Xiao Ming stretched his finger to point at the plane in the sky. The plane flew very fast.
小狗伸舌头散热。夏天太热了。
xiǎo gǒu shēn shé tou sàn rè。 xià tiān tài rè le。
The dog stretched its tongue to cool down. Summer is too hot.
她伸开双臂拥抱妈妈。妈妈笑了。
tā shēn kāi shuāng bì yōng bào mā ma。 mā ma xiào le。
She stretched out her arms to hug her mom. Mom smiled.
我们伸腿踢球。球滚进了球门。
wǒ men shēn tuǐ tī qiú。 qiú gǔn jìn le qiú mén。
We stretched our legs to kick the ball. The ball rolled into the goal.