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翟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
翟dísurname Diunknown, 14 strokes, radical 羽, rank #90143, Very Hard
翟dísurname Zhaiunknown, 14 strokes, radical 羽, rank #90143, Very Hard
翟dílong-tailed pheasant; plume; surnamenr, 14 strokes, radical 羽, rank #90143, Very Hard
翟zháisurname Diunknown, 14 strokes, radical 羽, rank #90143, Very Hard
翟zháisurname Zhaiunknown, 14 strokes, radical 羽, rank #90143, Very Hard
翟zháilong-tailed pheasant; plume; surnamenr, 14 strokes, radical 羽, rank #90143, Very Hard
dí(Di2)di
primary
T2
  1. 1surname Di
  2. 2long-tailed pheasant; plume; surname
Also a Chinese surname, Di — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

翟dí(Di2)

The character 翟 (dí) primarily refers to the long-tailed pheasant, which is known for its vibrant plumage. It can also be a surname, notably Zhai or Di, and historically denotes a generic name for northern ethnic minorities during the Qin and Han Dynasties. In modern contexts, it is often associated with the bird or as a family name.

Strokes14Radical羽Frequency#90143DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The long-tailed pheasant is often associated with grace and beauty in Chinese culture and can symbolize high status. It's frequently depicted in traditional art and poetry, reflecting the appreciation of nature in Chinese aesthetics.

Memory tip

Imagine a colorful long-tailed pheasant soaring through the sky, its feathers dancing in the wind. The character 翟 resembles a bird spread out in flight, with the radical 羽 (yǔ) indicating feathers, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation (dí).

Meanings of 翟

dí(Di2)
primary
1long-tailed pheasant; plume; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 翟

翟Simplified
14Strokes
羽Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 翟

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Podcast: 翟

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AI Study Notes for 翟

Usage Notes

This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, so learners may mistake it for more frequently used terms related to birds or surnames. It's more formal and can be seen in literature or historical texts. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as it shares tones with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

While 翟 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your cultural literacy, especially regarding historical texts. Students should focus on the context of use and the historical significance of the character, linking it to other animal-related vocabulary at this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 翟 with other similar-sounding surnames or characters, such as 狄 (dí). For example, saying '我叫翟' (Wǒ jiào zhái) instead of '我叫狄' (Wǒ jiào dí) can lead to misunderstandings. Always check the context to ensure proper usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 翟

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Etymology of 翟

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A bird 隹 with a plumed 羽 tail

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 翟?

Decomposition of 翟

IDS Structure⿱羽隹
翟Full character
=
羽yu3
top
隹zhui1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 翟?

How to say surname Di in Chinese

“surname Di” in Chinese is翟dí

The character 翟 (dí) primarily refers to the long-tailed pheasant, which is known for its vibrant plumage. It can also be a surname, notably Zhai or Di, and historically denotes a generic name for northern ethnic minorities during the Qin and Han Dynasties. In modern contexts, it is often associated with the bird or as a family name.

When to use 翟

This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, so learners may mistake it for more frequently used terms related to birds or surnames. It's more formal and can be seen in literature or historical texts. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as it shares tones with other characters.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 翟 with other similar-sounding surnames or characters, such as 狄 (dí). For example, saying '我叫翟' (Wǒ jiào zhái) instead of '我叫狄' (Wǒ jiào dí) can lead to misunderstandings. Always check the context to ensure proper usage.

Write 翟

翟

Practice writing 翟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 翟

Words containing this character3
翟dísurname Di
翟志刚Zhai Zhigang (1966-), Chinese astronaut翟志剛
翟理斯Herbert Allen Giles (1845-1935), British diplomat and linguist, contributor to the Wade-Giles Chinese romanization system
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 翟

What does 翟志刚 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 翟

It means long-tailed pheasant and can also be a surname.

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