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薊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
薊jìcirsium, thistle; surnamex, 17 strokes, radical 艹
jì(ji4)ji T4
  1. 1cirsium, thistle; surname
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March 24, 2026

薊jì(ji4)

The character 薊 (jì) refers to a type of plant known as thistle or cirsium, which is characterized by its prickly leaves and flowers. It is also a surname in Chinese culture. The term is commonly used in botanical contexts or discussions related to flora.

Strokes17Radical艹
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, certain plants like 薊 may be referenced in traditional medicine or herbal remedies, highlighting the importance of nature in cultural practices. Understanding plants can also deepen appreciation for Chinese poetry and art that often features botanical imagery.

Memory Tip

Imagine a prickly thistle plant in a garden, and think of 'jì' as the sound of the prickly leaves rustling in the wind. The character 薊 has the radical 艹 (grass) on top, indicating its connection to plants, while the bottom part resembles a traditional character component, symbolizing its significance.

Meanings of 薊

jì(ji4)
1cirsium, thistle; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 薊

薊Simplified
17Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 薊

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Podcast: 薊

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AI Study Notes for 薊

Usage Notes

When using 薊 in conversation, be mindful of the context, as it may not be commonly known outside botanical discussions. It is more formal and specific compared to general plant terms. Make sure to pronounce the fourth tone correctly to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not included in the HSK levels, which makes it a good opportunity for advanced students to expand their vocabulary related to nature and botany. Focus on the context in which plant names are used, as well as related terms like 花 (huā - flower) and 树 (shù - tree).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 薊 with other plant-related characters like 花 (huā - flower) or 草 (cǎo - grass). Always remember that 薊 specifically refers to thistles, which are prickly plants, while the others denote different types of flora.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 薊

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Etymology of 薊

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

plant

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)魝
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

薊 = 艹 + 魝. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 薊

IDS Structure⿱艹魝
薊Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
魝jie2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 薊?

How to say cirsium, thistle; surname in Chinese

“cirsium, thistle; surname” in Chinese is薊jì

The character 薊 (jì) refers to a type of plant known as thistle or cirsium, which is characterized by its prickly leaves and flowers. It is also a surname in Chinese culture. The term is commonly used in botanical contexts or discussions related to flora.

When to use 薊

When using 薊 in conversation, be mindful of the context, as it may not be commonly known outside botanical discussions. It is more formal and specific compared to general plant terms. Make sure to pronounce the fourth tone correctly to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 薊 with other plant-related characters like 花 (huā - flower) or 草 (cǎo - grass). Always remember that 薊 specifically refers to thistles, which are prickly plants, while the others denote different types of flora.

Write 薊

薊

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

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Word Family of 薊

Words Containing This Character2
蓟jìsurname Ji薊
蓟县Ji county in Tianjin 天津[Tiān​jīn]薊縣
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 薊

What does 蓟县 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 薊

It means thistle or cirsium, a type of prickly plant.

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