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March 24, 2026
敕(勅)chì(chi4)
The character 敕 (chì) refers to an imperial order or decree, historically used in the context of commands issued by an emperor. It signifies a formal and authoritative instruction, often related to governance or significant state matters. Although it is less common in modern usage, it appears in historical texts and discussions about imperial China.
Strokes11Radical攵Frequency#58219DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the issuance of 敕 was a demonstration of imperial power and authority, reflecting the centrality of the emperor in governance. Such decrees were often carved on tablets and displayed publicly, signifying their importance.
Memory Tip
Imagine an emperor sitting on his throne, issuing a decree (敕) to his subjects. The character 敕 looks like a person (the '人' radical) standing before the emperor, awaiting instructions. This can help you remember that the word is about orders and commands related to governance.
Meanings of 敕
chì(chi4)
1an imperial order or decree
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 敕
敕Simplified
勅Traditional
11Strokes
攵Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 敕
Podcast: 敕
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AI Study Notes for 敕
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an emperor sitting on his throne, issuing a decree (敕) to his subjects. The character 敕 looks like a person (the '人' radical) standing before the emperor, awaiting instructions. This can help you remember that the word is about orders and commands related to governance.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 敕 with similar-sounding characters. It's important to remember that 敕 has a formal tone and is not used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 敕命 (chì mìng), meaning 'imperial order'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 敕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of historical texts and cultural references. It connects to other characters related to authority and governance, such as 命 (mìng), which means 'command'. Focus on recognizing its use in classical literature.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the issuance of 敕 was a demonstration of imperial power and authority, reflecting the centrality of the emperor in governance. Such decrees were often carved on tablets and displayed publicly, signifying their importance.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 敕 in casual conversation, thinking it simply means 'order'. In reality, it carries a formal and historical connotation. A better choice for everyday use would be 命令 (mìng lìng), which means 'command'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 敕
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Cultural Notes for 敕
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, the issuance of 敕 was a demonstration of imperial power and authority, reflecting the centrality of the emperor in governance. Such decrees were often carved on tablets and displayed publicly, signifying their importance.
Word Family of 敕
Words Containing This Character2
敕chìvariant of 敕[chì]勅
敕令Imperial order or edict (old)
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 敕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 敕
No, 敕 is primarily used in historical contexts and is not commonly encountered in everyday conversation.
The correct pronunciation is chì, with a falling tone. Make sure to practice the tone, as it changes the meaning.
