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覀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
覀xīwest, western, westwardx, 6 strokes, radical 覀
xī(xi1) T1
  1. 1west, western, westward
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March 24, 2026

覀xī(xi1)

The character 覀 (xī) signifies 'west' or 'western,' pointing to geographical directions or cultural contexts associated with the western part of a region. It is often used in combination with other characters to denote western influences or attributes, such as in the term 西方 (xīfāng), meaning 'the West' or 'Western countries.'

Strokes6Radical覀
Cultural Note

The concept of 'west' is significant in Chinese culture, often associated with modernization and foreign influence. For example, the term '西化' (xīhuà) refers to the Westernization of Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a compass where the letter 'x' marks the spot for 'west.' The character 覀 resembles a person looking towards the west, with the radical for 'see' (見) suggesting the direction you are viewing. Picture yourself taking a journey westward, guided by the compass.

Meanings of 覀

xī(xi1)
1west, western, westward
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 覀

覀Simplified
6Strokes
覀Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 覀

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Podcast: 覀

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AI Study Notes for 覀

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 覀 with similar directional characters like 东 (dōng) for 'east.' It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure to use it correctly in compound words. Be careful with the tone; xī is a first tone and should be pronounced with a high, level voice.

HSK Study Tips

Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding 覀 can enhance your knowledge of directional words. Focus on related terms like 西 (xī) and 西方 (xīfāng) to build a strong foundation in geographical vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 覀 with other directional characters. For example, saying '我住在北' (wǒ zhù zài běi) meaning 'I live in the north' when they meant to say 'west' can lead to misunderstandings. The correct phrase would be '我住在西' (wǒ zhù zài xī).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 覀

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Etymology of 覀

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

覀 is a character component that does not have any meaning on its own. Represents two hands grabbing a waist in the character 要.

Memory Hint

A bird settling into its nest, representing sunset; compare 東

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 覀

覀 is a character component that does not have any meaning on its own. Represents two hands grabbing a waist in the character 要.

  1. 1The giveawayA bird settling into its nest, representing sunset; compare 東
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 覀? 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 覀?

How to say west, western, westward in Chinese

“west, western, westward” in Chinese is覀xī

The character 覀 (xī) signifies 'west' or 'western,' pointing to geographical directions or cultural contexts associated with the western part of a region. It is often used in combination with other characters to denote western influences or attributes, such as in the term 西方 (xīfāng), meaning 'the West' or 'Western countries.'

When to use 覀

Common mistakes include confusing 覀 with similar directional characters like 东 (dōng) for 'east.' It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure to use it correctly in compound words. Be careful with the tone; xī is a first tone and should be pronounced with a high, level voice.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 覀 with other directional characters. For example, saying '我住在北' (wǒ zhù zài běi) meaning 'I live in the north' when they meant to say 'west' can lead to misunderstandings. The correct phrase would be '我住在西' (wǒ zhù zài xī).

Write 覀

覀

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

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Word Family of 覀

Words Containing This Character1
覀xī[character component]
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 覀 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 覀

Focus on the 'x' sound, similar to 'see,' but with a high pitch as it's in the first tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 覀?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.