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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#12041DifficultyHard
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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)
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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 ".
The sun was setting fast, but there was still ample light.
10
蒙哥马利县是宾夕法尼亚州最富有、最讲究的县.
mēng gē mǎ lì xiàn shì bīn xī fǎ ní yà zhōu zuì fù yǒu、 、 zuì jiǎng jiū de.
Montgomery County is Pennsylvania's wealthiest and most sophisticated county.
Cultural Notes for 夕
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 夕
Compounds31
多duo1many
名ming2name
外wai4outside
将jiang1will
罗luo1gauze, net; to collect, to display
岁sui4variant of 歲
梦meng4dream
奖jiang3prize
歹dai3bad
囱chuang1chimney
汐xi1night tide, evening ebb tide
矽xi4silicon
舛chuan3mistaken; to be contrary; to deviate
夗yuan4to turn over when asleep
夤yin2late at night; distant, remote; deep
拶za1to squeeze, to press hard, to force
桚
歺e4evil, depraved, wicked
穸xi1the gloom of the grave; tomb, grave; death
芕
釸
飧sun1dinner, supper; cooked food
匇
夘
夛
夝
夞
夢meng4dream
夣
斘
邜
Words Containing This Character20
前夕qiánxīeve
夕xīdusk
除夕chúxīlunar New Year's Eve
夕阳xīyángsunset夕陽
危在旦夕in imminent peril (idiom)
宾夕法尼亚州Pennsylvania賓夕法尼亞州
七夕girls' festival
夕阳西下the sun sets in the west (idiom)夕陽西下
朝夕all the time
一朝一夕overnight
只争朝夕to seize every minute (idiom)只爭朝夕
夕照glow of the setting sun
朝令夕改to make frequent or unpredictable changes in policy (idiom)
朝不保夕imminent crisis
宾夕法尼亚Pennsylvania賓夕法尼亞
宾夕法尼亚大学University of Pennsylvania賓夕法尼亞大學
命在旦夕to be at death's door (idiom)
朝乾夕惕cautious and diligent all day long (idiom)
朝不虑夕imminent crisis朝不慮夕
小除夕the day before New Year's Eve
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 多 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 夕
In Taiwan, 夕 is pronounced [xì], which differs from the standard pronunciation [xī] used in mainland China.
Yes, 夕 can be used casually to refer to the evening or dusk, especially when discussing plans or activities.
Yes, characters like 日 (rì) for day and 夜 (yè) for night are commonly used alongside 夕 to describe different times of the day.
