Meanings of 羁
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Podcast: 羁
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AI Study Notes for 羁
拘 (jū) — use 羁 (jī) when emphasizing the restraint of an animal, while 拘 (jū) is more appropriate for legal or formal detention contexts.
Learners often confuse 羁 with similar words related to restraint, such as 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), which have different nuances. This term is more commonly used in literary and formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone when using it, as it can carry a more serious connotation.
Although 羁 is not part of the standard HSK curriculum, it may appear in advanced texts or literature. Students should focus on understanding the concept of restraint in both physical and metaphorical contexts, and how it connects to other HSK vocabulary related to control and limitation.
Learners often mistakenly use 羁 interchangeably with 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), ignoring the specific context of physical restraint. For example, saying '我被羁在家里' (Wǒ bèi jī zài jiālǐ - 'I was restrained at home') is incorrect; it should be '我被拘在家里' (Wǒ bèi jū zài jiālǐ).
Pronunciation of 羁
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Jason Explains 羁 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 羁 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 羁
A leather 革 halter used to control 罒a horse 马
Origin
What kind of character is 羁?
Decomposition of 羁
Parts
Which of these is part of 羁?
How to say halter; to restrain, to hold, to control in Chinese
“halter; to restrain, to hold, to control” in Chinese is羁
The character 羁 (jī) primarily means 'halter' or 'bridle,' referring to the equipment used to control an animal, especially horses. It is also used in a more abstract sense to convey the idea of restraint or control, often in contexts where someone or something is being held back or detained. This word can be used in both literal and figurative situations, such as emotional or physical restraint.
When to use 羁
Learners often confuse 羁 with similar words related to restraint, such as 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), which have different nuances. This term is more commonly used in literary and formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone when using it, as it can carry a more serious connotation.
羁 or something close to it
拘 (jū) — use 羁 (jī) when emphasizing the restraint of an animal, while 拘 (jū) is more appropriate for legal or formal detention contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 羁 interchangeably with 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), ignoring the specific context of physical restraint. For example, saying '我被羁在家里' (Wǒ bèi jī zài jiālǐ - 'I was restrained at home') is incorrect; it should be '我被拘在家里' (Wǒ bèi jū zài jiālǐ).
Write 羁
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Practice writing 羁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 羁
羁 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她已经被____押了一年。
She has already served a year on remand.
Example Sentences for 羁 (2)
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Rebuild it: “She has already served a year on remand.”
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Word Family of 羁
Words with 羁
What does 羁押 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 羁
While both terms relate to restraint, 羁 specifically refers to physical restraint, like a halter, whereas 拘 implies legal or situational detention.
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