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March 24, 2026
希xī(xi1)
The character 希 (xī) primarily means 'to hope' or 'to expect.' It is commonly used in contexts where one expresses desire or aspiration for a future outcome, such as hoping for success or good fortune. Additionally, it can denote rarity or something that is scarce, often used in phrases to imply something precious or valued.
Strokes7Radical巾Frequency#4623DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hope is often linked to traditional beliefs and the importance of aspirations in achieving personal and communal goals. Festivals and customs frequently celebrate hopeful beginnings, such as the Lunar New Year, where people express their hopes for the coming year.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a hopeful gaze (希) looking up at the stars, wishing for a rare event to happen. The radical '心' (heart) is present, reminding you that hope comes from within. The sound 'xī' can be associated with 'see,' as in seeing your hopes come to fruition.
Meanings of 希
xī(xi1)
1to hope
2to admire
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 希
希Simplified
7Strokes
巾Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4623Frequency Rank
Podcast: 希
Podcast: 希
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AI Study Notes for 希
Quick Contrast
希 (xī) vs 盼 (pàn) — use 希 for general hope or expectation, while 盼 emphasizes longing or anticipation.
Usage Notes
希 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious about its collocations, such as 希望 (xīwàng - to hope) and 希冀 (xījì - to aspire). Avoid confusing it with the character 稀 (xī), which means 'rare' in a different context. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
Although not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, 希 is a useful character for learners at HSK 3 and above. It connects with related words such as 希望 (hope) and 希冀 (aspiration). Focus on using it in sentences that express wishes or hopes to reinforce its meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 希 with similar-sounding characters like 稀. For example, saying 希的 (xī de) when they mean 希望的 (xīwàng de) can lead to confusion. Always use 希 when expressing hope, and reserve 稀 for referring to rarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 希
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Composed of 爻 (intertwined cross shape) and 巾 (cloth). Conveys a rare type of stitched cloth, corresponding to the original meaning "sparse; rare". The meaning later shifted to "hope".
Composed of 爻 (intertwined cross shape) and 巾 (cloth). Conveys a rare type of stitched cloth, corresponding to the original meaning "sparse; rare". The meaning later shifted to "hope".
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 希? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Decomposition of 希
IDS Structure⿱乂布
希Full Character
=
乂yi4
top
布bu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 希?
How to say to hope in Chinese
“to hope” in Chinese is希xī
The character 希 (xī) primarily means 'to hope' or 'to expect.' It is commonly used in contexts where one expresses desire or aspiration for a future outcome, such as hoping for success or good fortune. Additionally, it can denote rarity or something that is scarce, often used in phrases to imply something precious or valued.
When to use 希
希 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious about its collocations, such as 希望 (xīwàng - to hope) and 希冀 (xījì - to aspire). Avoid confusing it with the character 稀 (xī), which means 'rare' in a different context. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning significantly.
希 or something close to it
希 (xī) vs 盼 (pàn) — use 希 for general hope or expectation, while 盼 emphasizes longing or anticipation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 希 with similar-sounding characters like 稀. For example, saying 希的 (xī de) when they mean 希望的 (xīwàng de) can lead to confusion. Always use 希 when expressing hope, and reserve 稀 for referring to rarity.
Write 希
希
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Grammar Patterns of 希
希 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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.
