unknown, 3 strokes, radical 夕, rank #12041, Very Hard
xī(xi1) T1
1dusk
2evening
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March 24, 2026
夕xī(xi1)
The character 夕 (xī) primarily means 'dusk' or 'evening,' signifying the time of day when the sun sets and darkness begins to envelop the sky. It is often used in literary contexts to evoke imagery of twilight or the transition from day to night. Additionally, in Taiwan, it can be pronounced as [xì] and may have nuanced meanings depending on context.
Strokes3Radical夕Frequency#12041DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, 夕 often symbolizes reflection and tranquility, making it a common theme in works that explore nature and the passage of time. Evening gatherings with family and friends are also a significant part of Chinese cultural practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine the setting sun casting slanted rays as it dips below the horizon at dusk. The character 夕 resembles a horizon line with the sun setting, reminding you of the peaceful, quiet moments of the evening.
Meanings of 夕
xī(xi1)
1dusk
2evening
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 夕
夕Simplified
3Strokes
夕Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#12041Frequency Rank
Podcast: 夕
Podcast: 夕
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AI Study Notes for 夕
Quick Contrast
晨 (chén) — use 夕 for evening; use 晨 for morning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 夕 with other similar characters like 日 (rì) which means 'sun' or 'day.' In informal settings, you might hear 夕 used in phrases related to evening activities or events. Ensure you use the correct pronunciation [xī] in most contexts, especially in mainland China.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK levels, 夕 is a good character to learn alongside other time-related words such as 昼 (zhòu, daytime) and 夜 (yè, night). Focus on understanding how 夕 is used in phrases about daily routines and times of day.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 夕 with the character for 'night' (夜, yè) when discussing evening plans. For example, saying '我们晚上七点见' (Wǒmen wǎnshàng qī diǎn jiàn) incorrectly uses '夜' instead of '夕.' The correct phrase should use '夕' when referring to the evening context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 夕
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Drill the tone of 夕 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Pictograph of the moon. Used to express "evening" or "night".
1The giveawayA crescent moon
2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 夕? 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 夕?
Decomposition of 夕
IDS Structure⿻勹丶
夕Full Character
=
勹bao1
outer
丶—
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 夕?
How to say dusk in Chinese
“dusk” in Chinese is夕xī
The character 夕 (xī) primarily means 'dusk' or 'evening,' signifying the time of day when the sun sets and darkness begins to envelop the sky. It is often used in literary contexts to evoke imagery of twilight or the transition from day to night. Additionally, in Taiwan, it can be pronounced as [xì] and may have nuanced meanings depending on context.
When to use 夕
Be careful not to confuse 夕 with other similar characters like 日 (rì) which means 'sun' or 'day.' In informal settings, you might hear 夕 used in phrases related to evening activities or events. Ensure you use the correct pronunciation [xī] in most contexts, especially in mainland China.
夕 or something close to it
晨 (chén) — use 夕 for evening; use 晨 for morning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 夕 with the character for 'night' (夜, yè) when discussing evening plans. For example, saying '我们晚上七点见' (Wǒmen wǎnshàng qī diǎn jiàn) incorrectly uses '夜' instead of '夕.' The correct phrase should use '夕' when referring to the evening context.
Write 夕
夕
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Practice writing 夕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 夕
夕 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
人有旦____祸福, 月有阴晴圆缺.
Men are subject to sudden changes of fortune as the moon is subject to the changes of being full and crescent, cloudy and clear.
Example Sentences for 夕 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
人有旦夕祸福, 月有阴晴圆缺.
rén yǒu dàn xī huò fú, , yuè yǒu yīn qíng yuán.
Men are subject to sudden changes of fortune as the moon is subject to the changes of being full and crescent, cloudy and clear.
2
第23个日子的第12个太阴月叫做初步的前夕.
dì23 23 gè rì zǐ de12 dì 12 gè tài yīn yuè jiào zuò chū bù de.
The 23 rd day of the 12 th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve.
3
富兰克林写了一本小册子,论述 “ 新发明的宾夕法尼亚火炉 ”.
fù lán kè lín xiě le yī běn xiǎo cè zǐ, , lùn“ shù “ xīn fā míng de bīn xī fǎ ní yà”.
Franklin wrote a pamphlet on the " NewInvented Pennsylvanian Fire Place ".
