unknown, 15 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8342, Very Hard
xī(xi1) T1
1knee
2old variant of 膝[xī]
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March 24, 2026
膝(厀)xī(xi1)
The character 膝 (xī) means 'knee' and refers specifically to the joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg. It can be used in both medical and everyday contexts, often appearing in discussions about health, anatomy, or physical activities. This term is also an old variant of the character 膝, which is still used in modern Chinese.
Strokes15Radical⺼Frequency#8342DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, knees are often associated with the concept of 'wind' and 'cold', which can affect joint health. This cultural understanding emphasizes the importance of protecting the knees from exposure to cold weather.
Memory Tip
Imagine your knee as a 'knee-saw' (xī sounds like 'see'), where you can visualize a saw cutting through the knee joint. The character 膝 is made of the radical 月 (yuè), which often relates to body parts, combined with the character for 'saw' to help you remember its meaning.
Meanings of 膝
xī(xi1)
1knee
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 膝
膝Simplified
厀Traditional
15Strokes
⺼Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#8342Frequency Rank
Podcast: 膝
Podcast: 膝
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AI Study Notes for 膝
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 膝 (knee) with similar-sounding words. It's important to use the correct tone, as xī has a high level tone that can be easily mispronounced. This word is typically used in both formal and informal registers, especially in medical contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 膝 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it can be helpful for learners at HSK 3-4 level who are expanding their medical or anatomical vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and practicing its pronunciation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 膝 with the character 习 (xí), which means 'to practice'. A common mistake is writing 膝 as 习, which changes the meaning entirely. It’s crucial to remember that 膝 (xī) has the 'knee' meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 膝
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2The sound half桼 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayflesh
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 膝? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 膝?
Decomposition of 膝
IDS Structure⿰⺼桼
膝Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
桼qi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 膝?
How to say knee in Chinese
“knee” in Chinese is膝xī
The character 膝 (xī) means 'knee' and refers specifically to the joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg. It can be used in both medical and everyday contexts, often appearing in discussions about health, anatomy, or physical activities. This term is also an old variant of the character 膝, which is still used in modern Chinese.
When to use 膝
Common mistakes include confusing 膝 (knee) with similar-sounding words. It's important to use the correct tone, as xī has a high level tone that can be easily mispronounced. This word is typically used in both formal and informal registers, especially in medical contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 膝 with the character 习 (xí), which means 'to practice'. A common mistake is writing 膝 as 习, which changes the meaning entirely. It’s crucial to remember that 膝 (xī) has the 'knee' meaning.
Write 膝
膝
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Practice writing 膝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 膝
膝 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
淑女端坐时总是双手放在____上，不发一言。
A lady always sits quietly with her hands in her lap.
