Pronunciation: [hˈuː ʃˈɪ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the name "Hu Shih" is pronounced /huː ʃiː/. The first part of the name, "Hu," is pronounced as "hoo" with a longer "oo" sound. The second part of the name, "Shih," is pronounced as "she" but with a shorter "i" sound. Hu Shih was a Chinese philosopher, essayist, and diplomat who played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural life of China in the 20th century.
Hu Shih was a prominent Chinese philosopher, essayist, and diplomat, known for his significant contributions to modern Chinese literature and intellectual history. Born in 1891, Hu Shih played a pivotal role in promoting the use of vernacular Chinese language during the New Culture Movement in the 1910s and 1920s, which aimed to overthrow the classical Chinese literary tradition.
As a scholar, Hu Shih advocated for the adoption of a straightforward and accessible written form of Chinese, known as baihua, as a means to modernize Chinese literature and make it more inclusive for all Chinese citizens. He believed that this linguistic reform would help bridge the gap between the masses and the educated elite by making literature more easily understood by the general public.
In addition to his linguistic contributions, Hu Shih was an influential figure in Chinese diplomacy. He served as China's ambassador to the United States during the 1930s and 1940s, where he played a key role in fostering cultural and intellectual exchange between the two nations.
Hu Shih's progressive ideas and reformist outlook left a lasting impact on Chinese intellectual circles, earning him the reputation as one of the most influential Chinese thinkers of the 20th century. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of Chinese liberalism and a key figure in the movement towards modernization and democratic reform in China.
The name "Hu Shih" comes from the Chinese language. "Hu" is a common Chinese surname, and "Shih" (also written as "Xu" or "Xuexin") is a given name. "Shih" has the meaning of "scholar" or "learning" in Chinese. Hu Shih was a prominent Chinese scholar and philosopher during the early 20th century.
