shíshī: 实施 - To Implement, To Carry Out, To Put into Effect [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== shíshī: 实施 - To Implement, To Carry Out, To Put into Effect ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 实施, shishi, what does shishi mean, implement in Chinese, carry out a plan in Chinese, Chinese word for policy implementation, 实施 vs 执行, HSK 5 vocabulary, formal Chinese verbs, business Chinese, learn Chinese online.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of the formal Chinese verb **实施 (shíshī)**, which means "to implement" or "to put into effect." This essential HSK 5 word is crucial for understanding discussions about business strategy, government policy, and project management in China. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural context, and provides clear example sentences to show you how to use 实施 correctly and avoid common mistakes, like confusing it with 执行 (zhíxíng).
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shí shī
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To implement, put into practice, or carry out a plan, policy, or measure.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **实施 (shíshī)** is the formal action of turning an abstract concept—like a plan, a law, or a strategy—into a concrete reality. It's the bridge between "planning" and "doing." Think of it as the official "Go!" or "Launch!" button for a significant project or rule. It carries a strong sense of authority, scale, and officiality.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **实 (shí):** This character means **real, solid, actual, or true**. One of its ancient forms depicted a house with cowrie shells (a form of currency) inside, symbolizing something of substance and value. It points to something tangible and concrete.
  * **施 (shī):** This character means **to carry out, to execute, or to bestow**. It can be associated with the image of a flag or banner, symbolizing a directive or an official action being put forth.
When combined, **实施 (shíshī)** literally means "to carry out the real" or "to make something actual." This perfectly captures the essence of taking a plan off the drawing board and making it a functioning reality.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The term **实施 (shíshī)** is deeply embedded in the structured, top-down approach often seen in Chinese governance and large corporations. China's famous Five-Year Plans (五年计划, wǔnián jìhuà) are a prime example; they are created at the highest level and then **实施** (implemented) by various ministries, provinces, and companies across the country.
A helpful comparison for Western learners is to contrast **实施 (shíshī)** with the English word "implement." While they are close translations, **实施** carries a heavier weight of formality and scale. You could say "I'm going to implement a new workout routine" in English, but saying 我要实施一个新的健身计划 (Wǒ yào shíshī yīgè xīn de jiànshēn jìhuà) in Chinese sounds overly grand and a bit strange for a personal matter. **实施** is reserved for actions with a broader impact—company policies, government regulations, or large-scale projects. This reflects a cultural tendency to use specific vocabulary for official, collective actions versus personal ones.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**实施 (shíshī)** is a formal word you will frequently encounter in written documents, news reports, and formal meetings. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation.
  * **Government and Legal Contexts:** This is the most common usage. It refers to putting laws, regulations, and public policies into effect.
    * e.g., **实施**一项新法律 (shíshī yī xiàng xīn fǎlǜ) - to implement a new law.
    * e.g., **实施**交通管制 (shíshī jiāotōng guǎnzhì) - to implement traffic control.
  * **Business and Corporate Settings:** It is used when launching new strategies, management systems, or major projects.
    * e.g., **实施**新的市场策略 (shíshī xīn de shìchǎng cèlüè) - to implement a new market strategy.
    * e.g., **实施**解决方案 (shíshī jiějué fāng'àn) - to implement a solution.
Its connotation is neutral; it simply states the action of putting something into effect. The outcome can be positive or negative.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 政府决定从下个月开始**实施**新的税收政策。
    * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ juédìng cóng xià ge yuè kāishǐ **shíshī** xīn de shuìshōu zhèngcè.
    * English: The government has decided to implement a new tax policy starting next month.
    * Analysis: A classic example of **实施** used in a government policy context. "Policy" (政策) is a very common object for this verb.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 公司正在**实施**一项旨在提高效率的计划。
    * Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài **shíshī** yī xiàng zhǐ zài tígāo xiàolǜ de jìhuà.
    * English: The company is implementing a plan aimed at improving efficiency.
    * Analysis: Here, **实施** is used in a corporate context for a formal "plan" (计划). The particle 正在 (zhèngzài) indicates the action is in progress.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这项法律将于明年一月一日起正式**实施**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè xiàng fǎlǜ jiāng yú míngnián yī yuè yī rì qǐ zhèngshì **shíshī**.
    * English: This law will be formally implemented starting from January 1st of next year.
    * Analysis: This sentence structure "将于...起实施" (jiāng yú... qǐ shíshī) is very common in official announcements, meaning "will be implemented starting from...".
  * **Example 4:**
    * 我们需要一个详细的方案来**实施**这个项目。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yīgè xiángxì de fāng'àn lái **shíshī** zhège xiàngmù.
    * English: We need a detailed proposal to implement this project.
    * Analysis: This shows that **实施** is the action that follows the creation of a "proposal" or "plan" (方案).
  * **Example 5:**
    * 为了扩大市场份额，我们必须**实施**新的营销策略。
    * Pinyin: Wèile kuòdà shìchǎng fèn'é, wǒmen bìxū **shíshī** xīn de yíngxiāo cèlüè.
    * English: In order to expand our market share, we must implement a new marketing strategy.
    * Analysis: The use of "must" (必须) highlights the necessary and formal nature of implementing a "strategy" (策略).
  * **Example 6:**
    * 该城市**实施**了严格的交通管制措施。
    * Pinyin: Gāi chéngshì **shíshī** le yángé de jiāotōng guǎnzhì cuòshī.
    * English: The city implemented strict traffic control measures.
    * Analysis: "Measures" (措施) is another common word paired with **实施**. The particle 了 (le) indicates the implementation has already been completed.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 技术团队成功**实施**了解决方案，修复了系统漏洞。
    * Pinyin: Jìshù tuánduì chénggōng **shíshī** le jiějué fāng'àn, xiūfù le xìtǒng lòudòng.
    * English: The technical team successfully implemented the solution and fixed the system vulnerability.
    * Analysis: Shows **实施** in a technical or IT context. "Implementing a solution" is a perfect use case.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 这个宏伟的建筑计划因为资金问题很难**实施**。
    * Pinyin: Zhège hóngwěi de jiànzhù jìhuà yīnwèi zījīn wèntí hěn nán **shíshī**.
    * English: This grand construction plan is difficult to implement due to funding issues.
    * Analysis: This example shows that **实施** can also be used in a negative or challenging context.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 新校长**实施**了一系列教育改革。
    * Pinyin: Xīn xiàozhǎng **shíshī** le yī xìliè jiàoyù gǎigé.
    * English: The new principal implemented a series of educational reforms.
    * Analysis: "Reforms" (改革) are abstract ideas that require **实施** to become reality.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 全面**实施**预算绩效管理是政府的一项重要任务。
    * Pinyin: Quánmiàn **shíshī** yùsuàn jīxiào guǎnlǐ shì zhèngfǔ de yī xiàng zhòngyào rènwù.
    * English: Fully implementing budget performance management is an important task for the government.
    * Analysis: The adverb "fully" (全面) is often used with **实施** to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the implementation.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **实施 (shíshī)** and **执行 (zhíxíng)**.
  *   **实施 (shíshī) - To Implement:** This refers to putting a //plan, policy, or system// into effect for the first time. It is about launching the entire framework.
    *   Think: **Implementing** a new company-wide vacation policy.
  *   **执行 (zhíxíng) - To Execute / To Carry Out:** This refers to carrying out a specific //task, order, or command// that is often part of a larger plan. It is about following instructions.
    *   Think: **Executing** the task of booking a flight according to the new vacation policy.
**Common Mistake:**
  *   **Incorrect:** 军队**实施**了将军的命令。(Jūnduì **shíshī** le jiāngjūn de mìnglìng.)
  *   **Why it's wrong:** An army doesn't "implement" a general's order as if it's a new policy; they "execute" or "carry it out."
  *   **Correct:** 军队**执行**了将军的命令。(Jūnduì **zhíxíng** le jiāngjūn de mìnglìng.)
In short: You **实施** a plan, and you **执行** a task.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[执行]] (zhíxíng) - To execute; to carry out an order. Focuses on the action of following instructions, more task-oriented than **实施**.
  *   [[实行]] (shíxíng) - To put into practice. Very similar to **实施**, but can be used for slightly less formal systems or practices (e.g., to implement an 8-hour workday).
  *   [[落实]] (luòshí) - To ensure something is carried out; to concretize. Has an added emphasis on making sure a plan produces real, solid results on the ground.
  *   [[推行]] (tuīxíng) - To promote; to push forward (a policy). Similar to **实施** but highlights the effort of popularizing or advocating for the new system to be adopted.
  *   [[计划]] (jìhuà) - Plan; project. The abstract concept that gets implemented by **实施**.
  *   [[政策]] (zhèngcè) - Policy. One of the most common things to be implemented (实施).
  *   [[方案]] (fāng'àn) - Scheme; plan; proposal. A detailed set of steps or a solution that is ready for implementation.
  *   [[措施]] (cuòshī) - Measure; step. Specific actions that are part of a larger policy being implemented.