Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
洎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
when, until; to soak; soupg, 9 strokes, radical 氵, Very Hard
to reachunknown, 9 strokes, radical 氵, Very Hard
(ji4) T4
  1. 1when, until; to soak; soup
  2. 2to reach
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(ji4)

The character 洎 (jì) primarily means 'when' or 'until' and can also imply 'to soak' or 'soup.' It is often used in literary contexts and can indicate a point in time or a condition that must be met before something else occurs, adding a layer of nuance to discussions about timing or conditions.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The character 洎 reflects the importance of time and conditions in Chinese proverbs and poetry, often emphasizing patience and the right timing in both life and nature. This can be observed in traditional sayings that regard timing as crucial to success.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large bowl of soup (the radical for water, 水, is present) that needs to soak in flavors until just the right moment (when) to be enjoyed. 'Jì' sounds like 'jee,' which you might say when you’re excited about the soup that’s ready at just the right time.

Meanings of 洎

(ji4)
1when, until; to soak; soup
2to reach
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 洎

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 洎

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 洎

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large bowl of soup (the radical for water, 水, is present) that needs to soak in flavors until just the right moment (when) to be enjoyed. 'Jì' sounds like 'jee,' which you might say when you’re excited about the soup that’s ready at just the right time.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 洎 with similar-sounding characters like 纪 (jì, to record or chronicle). It's mainly used in formal writing or poetry rather than in everyday conversation. Pay attention to its tone, as a mispronunciation can change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Though 洎 is not listed in the HSK levels, it can be beneficial for students at advanced levels who are exploring classical texts or literature. Focus on the contexts in which it appears, especially in poetic or formal expressions, to understand its subtleties.

Cultural Note

The character 洎 reflects the importance of time and conditions in Chinese proverbs and poetry, often emphasizing patience and the right timing in both life and nature. This can be observed in traditional sayings that regard timing as crucial to success.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 洎 in informal conversations, assuming it fits common usage, when it is more suitable for written or poetic contexts. For example, saying '我会在这里洎你' (I will be here when you come) sounds awkward; '我会在这里等你' is more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 洎

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 洎

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

water

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 洎?

Decomposition of 洎

IDS Structure⿰氵自
Full Character
=
shui3
left
zi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 洎?

Write 洎

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 洎

洎 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

?妗莪还沩____己哋帅洏坚强哋萿着!

So far I also own a strong and handsome alive!

Example Sentences for 洎 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
?妗莪还沩洎己哋帅洏坚强哋萿着!

? ? jìn é huán wéi jì jǐ diè shuài ér jiān qiáng diè kuò!

So far I also own a strong and handsome alive!

Cultural Notes for 洎

🏮Cultural insight

The character 洎 reflects the importance of time and conditions in Chinese proverbs and poetry, often emphasizing patience and the right timing in both life and nature. This can be observed in traditional sayings that regard timing as crucial to success.

Word Family of 洎

Words Containing This Character1
when
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 洎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 洎

No, it is more often found in literature or formal contexts.