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禊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
禊xìa semi-annual ceremony of purificationg, 13 strokes, radical 礻
禊xìsemi-annual ceremony of purificationunknown, 13 strokes, radical 礻
xì(xi4)xi T4
  1. 1a semi-annual ceremony of purification
  2. 2semi-annual ceremony of purification
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March 24, 2026

禊xì(xi4)

The character 禊 (xì) refers to a traditional Chinese ceremony of purification, typically held semi-annually. This ritual involves cleansing oneself, often in water, to ward off misfortune and promote spiritual renewal, especially related to nature and community.

Strokes13Radical礻
Cultural note

The 禊 ceremony is historically linked to the ancient practice of honoring ancestors and deities through purification, showcasing the Chinese reverence for nature and spirituality. It often coincides with seasonal changes, reinforcing the connection between culture and the natural world.

Memory tip

Think of 'xì' as a cleansing stream (the water component) flowing through a sacred site, washing away impurities. Picture a group of people gathering by the water, chanting and preparing for the ceremony, emphasizing its communal and spiritual significance.

Meanings of 禊

xì(xi4)
1a semi-annual ceremony of purification
2semi-annual ceremony of purification
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 禊

禊Simplified
13Strokes
礻Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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AI study notes for 禊

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with other purification-related terms. Common collocations include '禊 ceremony' and '水禊', which specifically refers to water purification.

HSK Study Tips

While 禊 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, its roots in Chinese culture can enhance your understanding of traditional practices. Focus on related words that pertain to rituals and purification like 洗 (xǐ - to wash), as they provide practical context for usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 禊 with other purification-related terms such as 洗 (xǐ). For example, using '我去禊' (I go to purify) is incorrect; it should be '我去洗' (I go to wash) for everyday contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 禊

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Etymology of 禊

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

spirit

Semantic (meaning)礻
+
Phonetic (sound)契
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

禊 = 礻 + 契. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 禊

IDS Structure⿰礻契
禊Full character
=
礻shi4
left
契qi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 禊?

How to say a semi-annual ceremony of purification in Chinese

“a semi-annual ceremony of purification” in Chinese is禊xì

The character 禊 (xì) refers to a traditional Chinese ceremony of purification, typically held semi-annually. This ritual involves cleansing oneself, often in water, to ward off misfortune and promote spiritual renewal, especially related to nature and community.

When to use 禊

This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with other purification-related terms. Common collocations include '禊 ceremony' and '水禊', which specifically refers to water purification.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 禊 with other purification-related terms such as 洗 (xǐ). For example, using '我去禊' (I go to purify) is incorrect; it should be '我去洗' (I go to wash) for everyday contexts.

Write 禊

禊

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Word Family of 禊

Words containing this character1
禊xìsemiannual ceremony of purification

Frequently asked questions about 禊

It involves rituals of cleansing, often with water, aimed at purifying both body and spirit.

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