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March 24, 2026
羲xī(Xi1)
The character 羲 (xī) refers to Fuxi, a legendary figure in Chinese mythology often associated with creation and civilization. It can also denote breath or vapor, suggesting a connection to life and existence. The character is primarily used in historical or mythological contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
Strokes16Radical羊
Cultural Note
Fuxi is often depicted alongside Nuwa, another significant figure in Chinese mythology, who is credited with creating humanity. The character 羲 is deeply embedded in cultural narratives surrounding the origins of civilization in ancient China.
Memory Tip
Imagine Fuxi, the ancient emperor, rising like vapor from the mist, symbolizing breath and creation. The character 羲 has a radical 羊 (yáng, sheep) which can remind you of a gentle presence, like the nurturing spirit of an ancient emperor watching over the land.
Meanings of 羲
xī(Xi1)
1an ancient emperor; breath, vapor
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 羲
羲Simplified
16Strokes
羊Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 羲
Podcast: 羲
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AI Study Notes for 羲
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 羲 with other characters that have similar sounds or meanings, particularly in mythological contexts. Use it in formal discussions about Chinese mythology or history, but avoid casual conversation. Be cautious with the tone, as xī is a first tone, which can be easily mispronounced as a second tone, changing the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 羲 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding its context within Chinese mythology can enhance your comprehension of cultural references encountered in advanced texts. Focus on memorizing the character's association with Fuxi and its meanings related to breath and vapor.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 羲 with similar-sounding characters, such as 希 (xī), which means hope. Always check the context to ensure clarity, as using the wrong character can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 羲
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Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Decomposition of 羲
IDS Structure⿱羊⿱⿻禾戈丂
羲Full Character
=
羊Yang2
top
禾he2
outer
戈Ge1
inner
丂kao3
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 羲?
How to say an ancient emperor; breath, vapor in Chinese
“an ancient emperor; breath, vapor” in Chinese is羲xī
The character 羲 (xī) refers to Fuxi, a legendary figure in Chinese mythology often associated with creation and civilization. It can also denote breath or vapor, suggesting a connection to life and existence. The character is primarily used in historical or mythological contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
When to use 羲
Learners often confuse 羲 with other characters that have similar sounds or meanings, particularly in mythological contexts. Use it in formal discussions about Chinese mythology or history, but avoid casual conversation. Be cautious with the tone, as xī is a first tone, which can be easily mispronounced as a second tone, changing the meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 羲 with similar-sounding characters, such as 希 (xī), which means hope. Always check the context to ensure clarity, as using the wrong character can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 羲
羲
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Practice writing 羲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 羲
Words Containing This Character6
伏羲Fuxi or Fu Hsi, legendary Chinese emperor, trad. 2852-2738 BC, mythical creator of fishing, trapping and writing
王羲之Wang Xizhi (303-361), famous calligrapher of Eastern Jin, known as the sage of calligraphy 書聖|书圣
羲xīsurname Xi
黄宗羲Huang Zongxi (1610-1695), scholar and writer of the Ming-Qing transition黃宗羲
伏羲氏Fuxi or Fu Hsi, legendary Chinese emperor 2852-2738 BC, mythical creator of fishing, trapping, and writing
羲皇上人person from ages immemorial
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 伏羲 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 羲
It represents Fuxi, a mythical emperor associated with creation and civilization.
It is primarily used in historical or literary contexts rather than in everyday language.
Yes, characters like 伏 (fú) and 嚆 (hāo) share phonetic similarities but have different meanings.
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