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March 24, 2026
挤(擠)jǐ(ji3)
The character 挤 (jǐ) primarily means to squeeze or press something tightly, often implying a sense of crowding or forcing others aside. It can also refer to the act of finding time for something in a busy schedule, illustrating the idea of making room for priorities. This word is commonly used in both physical contexts, such as squeezing into a crowded space, and metaphorical ones, like managing time effectively.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#2607DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of crowding is very relatable in Chinese cities, where public transport can be incredibly packed, making the term 挤 a common part of everyday life. This reflects the larger social dynamics of urban living in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a can of juice being squeezed (挤) to get the last drops out. The character has the radical 手 (hand) on the left, which suggests action, and the right part sounds like 'ji,' reminding you of the pressing action—like using your hand to squeeze.
Meanings of 挤
jǐ(ji3)
1to crowd in
2to cram in
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 挤
挤Simplified
擠Traditional
9Strokes
扌Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2607Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 挤
Podcast: 挤
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AI Study Notes for 挤
Quick Contrast
挤 (jǐ) vs 拥 (yōng) — use 挤 when emphasizing squeezing or crowding, while 拥 conveys the idea of embracing or holding tightly.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a can of juice being squeezed (挤) to get the last drops out. The character has the radical 手 (hand) on the left, which suggests action, and the right part sounds like 'ji,' reminding you of the pressing action—like using your hand to squeeze.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using 挤 in contexts where a gentle approach is needed; for example, saying '挤出时间' (squeeze out time) instead of a softer approach like '安排时间' (arrange time) can sound too aggressive. This word is often used in informal contexts, so be mindful of your audience when using it.
HSK Study Tips
While 挤 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other action verbs at the same level. Focus on the nuances of squeezing in both physical and metaphorical contexts to grasp its flexibility in usage.
Cultural Note
The concept of crowding is very relatable in Chinese cities, where public transport can be incredibly packed, making the term 挤 a common part of everyday life. This reflects the larger social dynamics of urban living in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 挤 with 塞 (sāi), which means to stuff or block. For example, saying '我塞出时间' (I stuffed out time) is incorrect; use '挤出时间' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挤
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Grammar Patterns of 挤
挤 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 7 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.
Two men suddenly elbowed a passage through the shoppers.
4
有两三千难民挤进教堂内。
yǒu liǎng sān qiān nán mín jǐ jìn jiào táng nèi。
Between two and three thousand refugees were crammed into the church buildings.
5
三个膀粗腰圆的恶汉挤到了前面。
sān gè bǎng cū yāo yuán de è hàn jǐ dào le qián miàn。
Three burly toughs elbowed their way to the front.
6
拥挤的市场是扒手大展身手的好地方。
yōng jǐ de shì cháng shì bā shǒu dà zhǎn shēn shǒu de hǎo dì fāng。
Crowded markets are a happy hunting ground for pickpockets.
7
停车场被人挤得水泄不通。
tíng chē cháng bèi rén jǐ dé shuǐ xiè bù tōng。
The car park was absolutely packed solid with people.
8
集市上熙熙攘攘挤满了买卖东西的人。
jí shì shàng xī xī rǎng rǎng jǐ mǎn le mǎi mài dōng xī de rén。
The marketplace was jammed with a noisy crowd of buyers and sellers.
9
2,000人挤进去观看她最近的一次演出。
2,000 2,000 rén jǐ jìn qù guān kàn tā zuì jìn de yī cì yǎn。
There were 2000 people squashed into her recent show.
10
广场上挤满了人，鹅卵石铺就的街道上满是五颜六色的花朵。
guǎng cháng shàng jǐ mǎn le rén， ， é luǎn shí pū jiù de jiē dào shàng mǎn shì wǔ yán liù sè de huā。
The square was packed, and the cobbled streets flowed with coloured petals.
Cultural Notes for 挤
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of crowding is very relatable in Chinese cities, where public transport can be incredibly packed, making the term 挤 a common part of everyday life. This reflects the larger social dynamics of urban living in China.
Word Family of 挤
Words Containing This Character19
挤jǐto crowd in擠
拥挤yōngjǐcrowded擁擠
挤出to squeeze out擠出
挤压jǐyāto squeeze擠壓
挤满jam-packed擠滿
排挤to crowd out排擠
挤进to break into擠進
挤占to seize擠占
拥挤不堪overcrowded擁擠不堪
挤兑a run on a bank擠兌
挤奶to milk擠奶
挤入to squeeze in擠入
挤眉弄眼to make eyes擠眉弄眼
挤牙膏lit. to squeeze out toothpaste擠牙膏
挤眼to wink擠眼
压挤to squeeze out壓擠
挤对to bully擠對
挨挤to jostle挨擠
挤轧to bump and shove擠軋
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 挤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 挤
You can say '我们挤进了车里' (We squeezed into the car) to describe a physical action.
Generally, 挤 is informal and best used in casual conversations; for formal writing, consider alternatives.
Yes, you can say '我挤出时间来学习' (I squeezed out time to study) to indicate making time despite a busy schedule.
