‘Shǐ shū’ literally means ‘history book’ — combining 史 (shǐ), meaning ‘history’ or ‘historian’, and 书 (shū), meaning ‘book’ or ‘text’. It refers specifically to formal, authoritative written records of past events, especially those compiled by official historians in imperial China, such as the Records of the Grand Historian (《史记》). Unlike general history books for students, 史书 carries a classical, scholarly connotation and often implies rigorous documentation, moral evaluation of rulers, and adherence to traditional historiographical standards.

This term is commonly used in academic, literary, and cultural contexts — for example, when discussing China’s dynastic histories, citing primary sources, or analyzing historical methodology. It appears frequently in titles of major historical works and in discussions about historical authenticity and interpretation. While modern textbooks may be called 历史书 (lìshǐ shū), 史书 is reserved for canonical, traditionally recognized historical texts, not casual or popular accounts.