Chinese Verb "写" (xiě)

to write

Action verb

Basic Usage

Basic

Subject + 写 + object

我写了一封信。

Wǒ xiě le yì fēng xìn.

I wrote a letter.

Completed Action (了 (le))

Completed with 了

Subject + 写 + 了 + object

他写了三篇文章。

Tā xiě le sān piān wénzhāng.

He wrote three articles.

Experience (过 (guò))

Experience with 过

Subject + 写 + 过 + object

你写过书吗？

Nǐ xiě guò shū ma?

Have you ever written a book?

Ongoing Action (在/着)

In progress with 在

Subject + 在 + 写 + object

她在写作业。

Tā zài xiě zuòyè.

She is doing (writing) homework.

Future / Intent (会/要/想)

Future with 要

Subject + 要 + 写

我要写一篇报告。

Wǒ yào xiě yì piān bàogào.

I need to write a report.

Negation (不/没)

Negative with 不

Subject + 不写 + object

他不写日记。

Tā bù xiě rìjì.

He doesn't write a diary.

Negative past

Subject + 没写 + object

我没写完。

Wǒ méi xiě wán.

I didn't finish writing.

Common Compounds & Related Words

Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning
写字	xiězì	to write characters
写作	xiězuò	writing / composition
描写	miáoxiě	to describe

Example Sentences

请写下你的名字。

Qǐng xiě xià nǐ de míngzì.

Please write down your name.

他写的字很漂亮。

Tā xiě de zì hěn piàoliang.

The characters he writes are beautiful.

这本书是谁写的？

Zhè běn shū shì shéi xiě de?

Who wrote this book?