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March 24, 2026
池chí(Chi2)
The character 池 (chí) primarily means 'pond' or 'pool', referring to a water body often found in gardens or landscapes. It can also denote a reservoir or moat, and is used as a surname in Chinese culture. In everyday conversation, it might be used when discussing water features in parks or nature.
Strokes6Radical氵Frequency#6803DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese gardens, ponds (池) are significant elements symbolizing tranquility and harmony, often designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and balance of the landscape. They are also common in traditional poetry, representing nature's beauty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene pond (池) where you can see reflections of trees and clouds. The left part, 水 (water), hints at its meaning related to water, while the right side, also resembling a fence around a pool, reinforces the idea of containment. Picture the sound 'chí' as you dip your toes in the cool water.
Meanings of 池
chí(Chi2)
1pond
2reservoir
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 池
池Simplified
6Strokes
氵Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6803Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 池
Podcast: 池
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AI Study Notes for 池
Quick Contrast
池 (pond) vs 湖 (lake) — use 池 for smaller, often man-made water bodies, while 湖 refers to larger, natural bodies of water.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a serene pond (池) where you can see reflections of trees and clouds. The left part, 水 (water), hints at its meaning related to water, while the right side, also resembling a fence around a pool, reinforces the idea of containment. Picture the sound 'chí' as you dip your toes in the cool water.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 池 with other water-related terms like 河 (hé, river) or 湖 (hú, lake). It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but note that in written Chinese, 池 is often used in more literary or descriptive settings. Be careful with the tone; 'chí' should be pronounced with the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 池 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with water-related terms like 水 (water) and 河 (river), which are essential for beginner learners. Focusing on these related words can help students build a thematic understanding of water vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese gardens, ponds (池) are significant elements symbolizing tranquility and harmony, often designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and balance of the landscape. They are also common in traditional poetry, representing nature's beauty.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 池 to refer to larger bodies of water, such as lakes, which should be referred to as 湖 (hú). For example, saying '我去池' (Wǒ qù chí) to mean 'I go to the lake' is incorrect; it should be '我去湖' (Wǒ qù hú).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 池
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Grammar Patterns of 池
池 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 5 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 4
Complete the Sentence
每个月的彩____奖金总额达1,350万英镑。
Each month the total prize kitty is £5 million.
Common Confusions with 池
池vs迟
chí
Same pinyin but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "pond"?
or
Example Sentences for 池 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
每个月的彩池奖金总额达1,350万英镑。
měi gè yuè de cǎi chí jiǎng jīn zǒng é dá1,350 1,350 wàn yīng。
Each month the total prize kitty is £5 million.
2
这些电池的寿命为6小时。
zhè xiē diàn chí de shòu mìng wéi6 6 xiǎo。
The batteries had a life span of six hours.
3
他在用你家里的电源给他的车载蓄电池充电。
tā zài yòng nǐ jiā lǐ de diàn yuán gěi tā de chē zǎi xù diàn chí chōng diàn。
He is using your mains electricity to recharge his car battery.
We squatted beside the pool and watched the diver sink slowly down.
Cultural Notes for 池
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese gardens, ponds (池) are significant elements symbolizing tranquility and harmony, often designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and balance of the landscape. They are also common in traditional poetry, representing nature's beauty.
Word Family of 池
Compounds1
筂
Words Containing This Character20
电池diànchíbattery電池
池chípond
游泳池yóuyǒngchíswimming pool
泳池swimming pond
水池pond
池塘chítángpool
舞池dance floor
池子chízipond
锂电池lithium battery鋰電池
浴池public bath
城池city
蓄电池accumulator蓄電池
天池"heavenly lake", lake situated on a mountain
蓄水池water reservoir
滇池lake Dianchi in Yunnan
鱼池Yuchi or Yuchih township in Nantou county 南投縣|南投县[Nántóuxiàn], central Taiwan魚池
便池urinal
喷水池a fountain噴水池
化粪池septic tank化糞池
瑶池the Jade lake on Mount Kunlun, residence of Xi Wangmu 西王母瑤池
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 电池 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 池
Yes, 池 (Chí) is a recognized surname in China, although it is not as common as some other surnames.
池 specifically refers to smaller water bodies like ponds, while 湖 denotes larger lakes and 河 means rivers.
While it's primarily used in natural or poetic contexts, you could use it in business if referring to water features in real estate or landscaping.
