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积 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
to amassHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
to accumulateHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
to storeHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
measured quantity (such as area of volume)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
product (the result of multiplication)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
to integrate (math.)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
to solve (or integrate) an ordinary differential equation (math.)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
oldHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
long-standingHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
to store up, to amass, to accumulateHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #8573, Hard
(ji1) T1
  1. 1to amass
  2. 2to accumulate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(積)(ji1)

The character 积 (jī) primarily means 'to amass' or 'to accumulate.' It is commonly used in contexts such as accumulating wealth, knowledge, or experience. Additionally, in mathematics, it refers to the concept of product and integration, highlighting its usage in both everyday and academic settings.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#8573DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of accumulation is significant in Chinese culture, often tied to the values of diligence and saving for the future, reflecting the long-standing tradition of thriftiness in Chinese society. This is evident in practices like saving money for family or education.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large pile of treasure (积) being accumulated over time. The character has a 'roof' (the radical for 'to gather') and 'earth' (土) underneath, symbolizing that treasures are gathered and stored on the ground beneath a shelter. This visual can help you remember both the pronunciation (jī) and the meaning of accumulating.

Meanings of 积

(ji1)
1to amass
2to accumulate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 积

Simplified
Traditional
10Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8573Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCTCEFRC2

Podcast: 积

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AI Study Notes for 积

Quick Contrast

积 (jī) vs 累 (lèi) — use 积 for amassing or accumulating in a positive sense, while 累 emphasizes the accumulation of fatigue or burden.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large pile of treasure (积) being accumulated over time. The character has a 'roof' (the radical for 'to gather') and 'earth' (土) underneath, symbolizing that treasures are gathered and stored on the ground beneath a shelter. This visual can help you remember both the pronunciation (jī) and the meaning of accumulating.

Usage Notes

When using 积, be cautious of its context; it can be formal in academic settings but is also used in everyday conversations about savings or experiences. Common collocations include 积累 (jīlěi, to accumulate) and 积分 (jīfēn, points or score). Remember to use the correct tone to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 积 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 4 words like 累 (lèi, tired) and 积累 (jīlěi, to accumulate). Students should focus on understanding its usage in both conversational and mathematical contexts to grasp its versatility.

Cultural Note

The concept of accumulation is significant in Chinese culture, often tied to the values of diligence and saving for the future, reflecting the long-standing tradition of thriftiness in Chinese society. This is evident in practices like saving money for family or education.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 积 with similar-sounding words like 记 (jì, to remember). For instance, saying '我想记经验' (Wǒ xiǎng jì jīngyàn) instead of '我想积累经验' is incorrect. The correct phrase emphasizes accumulation, not just memory.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 积

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Etymology of 积

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

Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 只 represents the sound. Simplified form of 積.

Memory Hint

grain

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 积?

Decomposition of 积

IDS Structure⿰禾只
Full Character
=
he2
left
zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 积?

Write 积

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 积

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

我们要认真听讲,此外还要____极完成作业。

We need to listen carefully in class; in addition, we should actively complete our homework.

Common Confusions with 积

vs

Similar in shape and sound, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to amass"?

or

Example Sentences for 积 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
首相承诺以色列将发挥积极的作用。

shǒu xiāng chéng nuò yǐ sè liè jiāng fā huī jī jí de zuò yòng。

The Prime Minister has promised that Israel will play a constructive role.
2
他的头骨做过大面积的矫形手术。

tā de tóu gǔ zuò guò dà miàn jī de jiǎo xíng shǒu shù。

He has received extensive corrective surgery to his skull.
3
我绞尽脑汁,处心积虑,就是为了让他嫉妒。

wǒ jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī, , chǔ xīn jī, lǜ , jiù shì wéi le ràng tā。

I worked myself into frenzy plotting ways to make him jealous.
4
我们决定在比赛中积极拼抢,大胆进攻。

wǒ mén jué dìng zài bǐ sài zhōng jī jí pīn qiāng, , dà dǎn jìn。

We decided that in the game we would be physical and aggressive.
5
这件事是处心积虑、早有预谋的,更不用说其手段的高明。

zhè jiàn shì shì chǔ xīn jī lǜ、 、 zǎo yǒu yù móu, de , gēng bù yòng shuō qí shǒu duàn de。

It was both deliberate and malicious, not to mention clever.
6
路上不时会有吹聚起的积雪,泥泞而湿滑。

lù shàng bù shí huì yǒu chuī jù qǐ de jī xuě, , ní nìng ér shī。

Here and there a drift across the road was wet and slushy.
7
路边某些地方的积雪有六英尺深。

lù biān mǒu xiē dì fāng de jī xuě yǒu liù yīng chǐ shēn。

The snow along the roadside was six feet deep in places.
8
人们说,如果我们再不积极行动起来,我们就会有麻烦。

rén mén shuō, , rú guǒ wǒ mén zài bù jī jí háng dòng qǐ, lái , wǒ mén jiù huì yǒu。

People are saying if we don't buck up we'll be in trouble.
9
这场危机的根源是这两个群体之间积怨已深的敌对情绪。

zhè cháng wēi jī de gēn yuán shì zhè liǎng gè qún tǐ zhī jiān jī yuàn yǐ shēn de dí duì qíng xù。

The crisis is rooted in deep rivalries between the two groups.
10
培养一种自信的积极心态会让人受益匪浅。

péi yǎng yī zhǒng zì xìn de jī jí xīn tài huì ràng rén shòu yì fěi qiǎn。

Cultivating a positive mental attitude towards yourself can reap tremendous benefits.

Cultural Notes for 积

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of accumulation is significant in Chinese culture, often tied to the values of diligence and saving for the future, reflecting the long-standing tradition of thriftiness in Chinese society. This is evident in practices like saving money for family or education.

Word Family of 积

Words Containing This Character20
积极jījíactive積極
面积miànjīsurface area面積
to amass
积累jīlěito accumulate積累
积蓄jīxùto save積蓄
积分integral (calculus)積分
体积tǐjīvolume體積
积极性zeal積極性
累积lěijīto accumulate累積
堆积duījīto pile up堆積
微积分calculus微積分
公积金gōngjījīnofficial reserves公積金
积水to pond積水
沉积sediment沉積
积聚to coalesce積聚
积木toy building blocks積木
囤积to stock up囤積
积压to pile up積壓
积雪snow積雪
积攒to accumulate積攢
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 积极 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 积

While both 积 (jī) and 累 (lèi) can convey the idea of accumulation, 积 specifically relates to amassing quantities, such as in mathematics or physical measurements. In contrast, 累 often refers to physical or emotional exhaustion, or the process of accumulating in a more general sense.