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技 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
skilln, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8834, Hard
ability, talent; skill, techniquen, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8834, Hard
(ji4) T4
  1. 1skill
  2. 2ability, talent; skill, technique
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(ji4)

The character 技 (jì) refers to skill, ability, or technique in a specific area. It is commonly used to describe a person's proficiency in a trade, craft, or any learned skill. In contexts such as sports, arts, or professions, it emphasizes the talent or expertise one possesses.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#8834DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of skill is highly valued, and craftsmanship is often associated with dedication and mastery. Traditional crafts, such as calligraphy and martial arts, are seen as not only skills but also as forms of art and self-cultivation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a skillful artisan (技) crafting a beautiful piece of art. The character looks like a person using their hands (the left side) to create something special. Associate 'jì' with the sound of 'jeep' driving skillfully on a rugged path, representing mastery and technique.

Meanings of 技

(ji4)
1skill
2ability, talent; skill, technique
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 技

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8834Frequency Rank

Podcast: 技

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 技

Quick Contrast

技 (jì) vs 能 (néng) — use 技 when emphasizing a specific skill or technique, while 能 refers more broadly to ability or capability.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a skillful artisan (技) crafting a beautiful piece of art. The character looks like a person using their hands (the left side) to create something special. Associate 'jì' with the sound of 'jeep' driving skillfully on a rugged path, representing mastery and technique.

Usage Notes

Be mindful not to confuse 技 (jì) with 技术 (jìshù), which means 'technology' or 'technique'. It is more common in informal contexts when discussing someone's capabilities. Remember that the 4th tone of 'jì' can sometimes be mispronounced as a neutral tone in fast speech.

HSK Study Tips

While this character is not currently part of HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other HSK words related to skills and abilities, such as 能力 (nénglì, ability) and 学习 (xuéxí, to study). Focus on using it in sentences to describe skills you or others possess.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of skill is highly valued, and craftsmanship is often associated with dedication and mastery. Traditional crafts, such as calligraphy and martial arts, are seen as not only skills but also as forms of art and self-cultivation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 技 (jì) with related words like 技术 (jìshù). For instance, saying '我有很多技术' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō jìshù) when they mean 'I have many skills' is incorrect; it should be '我有很多技能' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō jìnéng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 技

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Etymology of 技

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 支 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 技?

Decomposition of 技

IDS Structure⿰扌支
Full Character
=
shou3
left
Zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 技?

Write 技

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 技

技 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

随着科____的发展,人们的生活变得更方便了。

As technology develops, people's lives become more convenient.

Common Confusions with 技

vs

Different meanings, but visually similar.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "skill"?

or

Example Sentences for 技 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你需要培养的关键技能就是让那些家长认错。

nǐ xū yào péi yǎng de guān jiàn jì néng jiù shì ràng nà xiē jiā cháng rèn cuò。

The crucial skill you need to develop is sorting out the parents.
2
上为期一周的专业课,提高你的写作技能。

shàng wéi qī yī zhōu de zhuān yè kè, , tí gāo nǐ de xiě zuò jì。

Polish up your writing skills on a one-week professional course.
3
道格拉斯29岁,是个技术不错的拳击手,在以前的比赛中发挥不太稳定。

dào gé lā sī29 29, suì , shì gè jì shù bù cuò de quán, jī shǒu , zài yǐ qián de bǐ sài zhōng fā huī bù。

Douglas was a 29-year-old journeyman fighter, erratic in his previous fights.
4
钻石切割靠的是工匠的技艺。

zuān shí qiē gē kào de shì gōng jiàng de jì yì。

The cut of a diamond depends on the skill of its craftsman.
5
我们超众的技术是我们的法宝。

wǒ mén chāo zhòng de jì shù shì wǒ mén de fǎ bǎo。

Our superior technology is our ace in the hole.
6
一系列技术问题延误了新产品的上市。

yī xì liè jì shù wèn tí yán wù le xīn chǎn pǐn de shàng shì。

A series of technical foul-ups delayed the launch of the new product.
7
我用完善后的技术摘掉了纤维瘤。

wǒ yòng wán shàn hòu de jì shù zhāi diào le xiān wéi liú。

I removed the fibroid tumours, using the techniques that I have perfected.
8
这一新技术已经被用来鉴别胎儿的性别。

zhè yī xīn jì shù yǐ jīng bèi yòng lái jiàn bié tāi ér de xìng bié。

The new technique has been used to identify the sex of foetuses.
9
科学家们越来越拿不准这一技术是否是正当合法的。

kē xué jiā mén yuè lái yuè ná bù zhǔn zhè yī jì shù shì fǒu shì zhèng dāng hé fǎ de。

Scientists are becoming increasingly unsure of the validity of this technique.
10
这一装置有助于使虚拟现实成为更可用、更便利的技术。

zhè yī zhuāng zhì yǒu zhù yú shǐ xū nǐ xiàn shí chéng wéi gēng kě yòng、 、 gēng biàn lì de jì。

This device helps make virtual reality a more usable and accessible technology.

Cultural Notes for 技

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, '技' is not just about technical skills. It's also about the mastery of art forms, like martial arts, calligraphy, and cooking, which are highly respected.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of skill is highly valued, and craftsmanship is often associated with dedication and mastery. Traditional crafts, such as calligraphy and martial arts, are seen as not only skills but also as forms of art and self-cultivation.

Word Family of 技

Compounds1
Words Containing This Character20
技术jìshùtechnology技術
科技kējìscience and technology
技巧jìqiǎoskill
技能jìnéngskill
skill
特技stunt
演技yǎnjìacting
竞技jìngjìathletics tournament競技
科学技术science and technology科學技術
高科技gāokējìhigh tech
技师technician技師
杂技zájìacrobatics雜技
技艺jìyìskill技藝
技术人员technical staff技術人員
新技术new technology新技術
竞技场arena競技場
技术员technician技術員
技工skilled worker
口技beat boxing
信息技术IT信息技術
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 技术 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 技

技 (jì) focuses more on specific skills or techniques, while 能 (néng) generally refers to one's ability or capacity to do something. For instance, you might say '他有很强的技能' (tā yǒu hěn qiáng de jìnéng) which emphasizes a strong skill set, whereas '他能游泳' (tā néng yóuyǒng) highlights the ability to swim.