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March 24, 2026
栀(梔)zhī(zhi1)
The character 栀 (zhī) refers to a type of flowering plant known as gardenia, which is celebrated for its fragrant white flowers. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and symbolizes purity and sweetness in Chinese culture. Gardenias are often associated with love and romance, making them popular in bouquets and gifts.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, gardenias (栀子) are often linked to expressions of love and are used in wedding decorations and gifts, symbolizing purity and sweetness. They are also found in many traditional Chinese medicinal practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a garden (the character's radical '木' means 'tree') filled with beautiful, fragrant white flowers. Picture a person named 'Zhi' looking for the perfect gardenia to express their love. The 'zhī' sound can be remembered by thinking of this character as a 'jasmine' friend in a garden.
Meanings of 栀
zhī(zhi1)
1jasmine; Gardenia
2cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 栀
栀Simplified
梔Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 栀
Podcast: 栀
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AI Study Notes for 栀
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a garden (the character's radical '木' means 'tree') filled with beautiful, fragrant white flowers. Picture a person named 'Zhi' looking for the perfect gardenia to express their love. The 'zhī' sound can be remembered by thinking of this character as a 'jasmine' friend in a garden.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 栀 with similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about botany or traditional medicine. Common collocations include 栀子花 (zhīzi huā) for gardenia flowers.
HSK Study Tips
Although 栀 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other HSK Level 3 and 4 words related to plants and nature. Students should focus on recognizing its character components and understanding its cultural significance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, gardenias (栀子) are often linked to expressions of love and are used in wedding decorations and gifts, symbolizing purity and sweetness. They are also found in many traditional Chinese medicinal practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 栀 with similar characters like 芝 (zhī), which means '芝麻' (sesame). An incorrect sentence might be '我喜欢芝子花' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhīzi huā - I like sesame flowers), instead of the correct '我喜欢栀子花'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 栀
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Grammar Patterns of 栀
栀 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
她喜欢的香水闻起来象____子花.
Her favorite essence smells like gardenias.
Example Sentences for 栀 (2)
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1
她喜欢的香水闻起来象栀子花.
tā xǐ huān de xiāng shuǐ wén qǐ lái xiàng zhī zǐ huā.
Her favorite essence smells like gardenias.
2
她喜欢的香水闻起来像栀子花.
tā xǐ huān de xiāng shuǐ wén qǐ lái xiàng zhī zǐ huā.
Her favourite essence smells like gardenias.
Cultural Notes for 栀
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, gardenias (栀子) are often linked to expressions of love and are used in wedding decorations and gifts, symbolizing purity and sweetness. They are also found in many traditional Chinese medicinal practices.
Word Family of 栀
Words Containing This Character3
栀子花cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)梔子花
栀子cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)梔子
栀zhīgardenia梔
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 栀子花 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 栀
It means gardenia, a fragrant flowering plant.
You can use it in phrases like 栀子花开得很美 (The gardenias are blooming beautifully).
Yes, 栀子花 (zhīzi huā) refers specifically to gardenia flowers.
