to execute; to grasp, to hold; to keep; to sieze, to detain
v, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #7000, Hard
zhí(zhi2) T2
1to execute (a plan)
2to grasp
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March 24, 2026
执(執)zhí(zhi2)
The character 执 (zhí) primarily means 'to hold' or 'to grasp.' It is often used in contexts related to executing plans or tasks, emphasizing the act of taking control or maintaining focus on a particular objective. This character can also convey a sense of persistence or determination in carrying out actions.
Strokes6Radical扌Frequency#7000DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of 执 can be linked to the concept of perseverance (执着), which is highly valued in personal and professional contexts. It reflects the importance of commitment to one's goals and plans.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person 'grasping' a 'stick' (the radical 执 looks like a hand holding something). Picture them resolutely holding onto that stick, representing their commitment to executing their plans. The sound 'zhí' can remind you of 'grasping' tightly so you don't let go.
Meanings of 执
zhí(zhi2)
1to execute (a plan)
2to grasp
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 执
执Simplified
執Traditional
6Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7000Frequency Rank
Podcast: 执
Podcast: 执
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AI Study Notes for 执
Quick Contrast
掌 (zhǎng) - use 执 (zhí) when emphasizing control or execution of plans, while 掌 (zhǎng) focuses more on the act of holding or managing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person 'grasping' a 'stick' (the radical 执 looks like a hand holding something). Picture them resolutely holding onto that stick, representing their commitment to executing their plans. The sound 'zhí' can remind you of 'grasping' tightly so you don't let go.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 执 with similar characters like 持 (chí), which also means 'to hold.' It's important to note that 执 is more about executing or persisting with an action. This word is generally neutral but may appear more formal in written contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 执 is not officially part of the HSK curriculum, it can be connected to HSK Level 4 words related to actions and execution, such as 实行 (shíxíng, to implement) or 进行 (jìnxíng, to carry out). Focus on the context of execution and holding when learning this character.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of 执 can be linked to the concept of perseverance (执着), which is highly valued in personal and professional contexts. It reflects the importance of commitment to one's goals and plans.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 执, saying it as 'zhī' instead of 'zhí.' Additionally, they might confuse it with 持 (chí) when discussing plans. Remember, 执 emphasizes the execution of actions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 执
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Grammar Patterns of 执
执 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.
He has coached and played in Italy during the Australian off-season.
9
他说他们曾经误以为有正规执照就足够了。
tā shuō tā mén zēng jīng wù yǐ wéi yǒu zhèng guī zhí zhào jiù zú gòu le。
He says they mistakenly believed the standard licenses they held were sufficient.
10
他因是个严格纪律执行者而闻名遐迩。
tā yīn shì gè yán gé jì lǜ zhí háng zhě ér wén míng xiá ěr。
He has a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian.
Cultural Notes for 执
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the idea of 执 can be linked to the concept of perseverance (执着), which is highly valued in personal and professional contexts. It reflects the importance of commitment to one's goals and plans.
Word Family of 执
Compounds10
热re4to warm up
势shi4power
垫dian4pad
挚Zhi4surname Zhi
亵xie4dirty, ragged; slight, insult, disrespect
蛰zhe2to hibernate
絷zhi2to tie up, to shackle; to imprison, to confine
贽zhi4tribute; a gift given to a superior
鸷zhi4hawk, vulture
兿
Words Containing This Character20
执行zhíxíngto implement執行
执法zhífǎto enforce a law執法
执照zhízhàolicense執照
争执zhēngzhíto dispute爭執
执zhíto grasp執
固执gùzhiobstinate固執
执政to hold power執政
执着zhízhuóto be dedicated執著
偏执prejudice偏執
执教to teach執教
执勤to be on duty (of a security guard etc)執勤
执业practitioner執業
执政官consul (of the Roman Republic)執政官
执意zhíyìto insist on執意
执导to direct (a film, play etc)執導
执政党ruling party執政黨
执掌to wield (power etc)執掌
固执己见to persist in one's views固執己見
执迷不悟to obstinately persist in going about things the wrong way (idiom)執迷不悟
执笔to write執筆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 热 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 执
执 is often found in idiomatic expressions such as 执念 (zhíniàn), meaning an obsessive thought or fixation. It emphasizes the aspect of holding onto something strongly, whether it's a thought or an action.
Some synonyms for 执 include 抓 (zhuā), which means to grab, and 持 (chí), which means to hold or maintain. Each synonym might carry slightly different connotations depending on the context.
执 (zhí) means to grasp, to hold, or to execute a plan. It can also imply the idea of seizing or detaining something. In various contexts, it might refer to holding onto an idea or implementing a specific action.
You can use 执 in sentences like '他执着于自己的信念' (Tā zhízhuó yú zìjǐ de xìnniàn), which means 'He is persistent in his beliefs.' It is often used when discussing holding onto something, whether it's a belief, a plan, or a physical object.
You can say '他执着于自己的理想' (Tā zhízháo yú zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng), meaning 'He is committed to his ideals.'
Yes, while it's more formal, it can be used in casual settings when discussing goals or actions.
Synonyms include 持 (chí, to hold) and 执行 (zhíxíng, to execute), but each has its nuances.
