识字 (shí zì) literally means 'to recognize characters' — 识 (shí) means 'to know, recognize, or understand', and 字 (zì) means 'character' or 'written character'. Together, the term refers to the ability to read and write Chinese characters, i.e., basic literacy. It’s commonly used to describe the foundational skill of reading in Chinese, especially in educational or developmental contexts.

The word often appears in discussions about early childhood education, adult literacy programs, or historical improvements in public education. While it can function as a noun ('literacy'), it frequently serves as a verb meaning 'to learn to read' or 'to become literate'. Unlike more formal terms like 文化程度 (wénhuà chéngdù, 'educational attainment'), 识字 carries a practical, hands-on connotation — emphasizing functional reading ability rather than academic achievement.