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March 24, 2026
匙chí(chi2)
The character 匙 (chí) primarily means 'spoon,' a common utensil used for eating or serving food. It can also serve as a surname in Chinese culture, though this usage is less frequent. In culinary contexts, it specifically denotes the tool used for scooping liquids or soft foods.
Strokes11Radical匕Frequency#9700DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese dining, spoons are often used for soups and rice dishes, highlighting the importance of communal eating and shared meals in Chinese culture. The character reflects this culinary significance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a spoon (匕) that is cleverly designed like a key (匙) to unlock the delicious flavors of your food. The character combines the radical for 'spoon' and the shape resembling a key, making it memorable by visualizing the act of 'unlocking' taste with your spoon.
Meanings of 匙
chí(chi2)
primary
1spoon
2spoon; surname
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 匙
匙Simplified
11Strokes
匕Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9700Frequency Rank
Podcast: 匙
Podcast: 匙
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AI Study Notes for 匙
Quick Contrast
勺 (sháo, ladle) — use 匙 (chí) when referring specifically to a spoon, while 勺 (sháo) is used for a ladle, typically larger and used for serving.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it sounds like other similar characters but has a distinct meaning. In informal contexts, people may refer to it casually as '勺子' (sháozi), which also means spoon but is more common in everyday language. Remember to use '匙' when discussing utensils in a more formal setting.
HSK Study Tips
While not included in the HSK levels, learning 匙 (chí) can enhance your vocabulary related to dining and cooking, connecting it to other food-related words. Focus on learning synonyms and related utensils to build a comprehensive culinary vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 匙 (chí) with the character 勺 (sháo), which also means spoon but is more colloquial. For example, saying '我需要一个匙' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chí) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我需要一个勺子' (wǒ xūyào yīgè sháozi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 匙
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Phonosemantic compound. 匕 represents the meaning and 是 represents the sound.
1The meaning half匕 carries the sense.
2The sound half是 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayspoon
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 匙? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 匙?
Decomposition of 匙
IDS Structure⿺是匕
匙Full Character
=
是shi4
enclosing
匕bi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 匙?
How to say spoon in Chinese
“spoon” in Chinese is匙chí
The character 匙 (chí) primarily means 'spoon,' a common utensil used for eating or serving food. It can also serve as a surname in Chinese culture, though this usage is less frequent. In culinary contexts, it specifically denotes the tool used for scooping liquids or soft foods.
When to use 匙
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it sounds like other similar characters but has a distinct meaning. In informal contexts, people may refer to it casually as '勺子' (sháozi), which also means spoon but is more common in everyday language. Remember to use '匙' when discussing utensils in a more formal setting.
匙 or something close to it
勺 (sháo, ladle) — use 匙 (chí) when referring specifically to a spoon, while 勺 (sháo) is used for a ladle, typically larger and used for serving.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 匙 (chí) with the character 勺 (sháo), which also means spoon but is more colloquial. For example, saying '我需要一个匙' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chí) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我需要一个勺子' (wǒ xūyào yīgè sháozi).
Write 匙
匙
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Grammar Patterns of 匙
匙 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Yes, 匙 (chí) can also be a surname, but it is relatively uncommon compared to other Chinese surnames. It is essential to distinguish its use as a surname from its primary meaning as 'spoon.'
匙 (chí) refers specifically to a spoon, while 勺 (sháo) can refer to a ladle or a spoon but is typically used for larger scooping utensils. Understanding the context can help determine which is more appropriate to use.
匙 (chí) means 'spoon' in Chinese. It can also be used as a surname. The character is commonly used in culinary contexts when referring to utensils.
You can use 匙 in a sentence like '请给我一把匙' which means 'Please give me a spoon.' It's important to note the context when using the character to indicate whether you are referring to the utensil or the surname.
The correct pronunciation is 'chí' with a rising tone.
Yes, but it is more common to hear '勺子' (sháozi) in casual settings for 'spoon'.
Typically, it refers to a standard spoon; for specific types, other terms are used.
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