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記 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
記jìmark, sign; to note, to recordzg, 10 strokes, radical 言, rank #89105, Very Hard
jì(ji4) T4
  1. 1mark, sign; to note, to record
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

記jì(ji4)

The character 記 (jì) means 'to note' or 'to record' and is commonly used in contexts such as taking notes, keeping records, or marking something important. It can also refer to a sign or mark that indicates something noteworthy. This character is fundamental in various phrases related to memory and documentation.

Strokes10Radical言Frequency#89105DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the importance of recording events and information is deeply rooted in history, as seen in ancient texts and dynastic records. The practice of keeping detailed records is often tied to Confucian values, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'recording' device that leaves a permanent 'mark' (the meaning of 記) every time it captures something. The radical 言 (yán) represents speech or words, suggesting that this character has to do with recording spoken information. Picture a giant pen (for writing) that records everything it touches!

Meanings of 記

jì(ji4)
1mark, sign; to note, to record
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 記

記Simplified
10Strokes
言Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 記

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Podcast: 記

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 記

Quick Contrast

记 (jì) vs 录 (lù) — use 记 for noting or remembering, while 录 specifically refers to recording or transcribing.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 記 (jì) with the similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 記住 (jì zhù), which means 'to remember.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing notes or records. Remember to use the proper tone, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 記 (jì) is not currently included in HSK vocabulary, it relates closely to words that involve recording or memory, which are often found in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on its usage in compound words like 記錄 (jì lù, 'to record') to enhance their vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly write 記 as 记, which is the simplified version used in Mainland China, while traditional Chinese retains 記. Ensure you use the correct form based on your learning context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 記

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Etymology of 記

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

Simplified form of 記. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 己 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A private 己 note 言; 己 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 記

Simplified form of 記. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 己 represents the sound.

  1. 1The giveawayA private 己 note 言; 己 also provides the pronunciation
  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 記? 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 記?

Decomposition of 記

IDS Structure⿰言己
記Full Character
=
言yan2
left
己ji3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 記?

How to say mark, sign; to note, to record in Chinese

“mark, sign; to note, to record” in Chinese is記jì

The character 記 (jì) means 'to note' or 'to record' and is commonly used in contexts such as taking notes, keeping records, or marking something important. It can also refer to a sign or mark that indicates something noteworthy. This character is fundamental in various phrases related to memory and documentation.

When to use 記

Be careful not to confuse 記 (jì) with the similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 記住 (jì zhù), which means 'to remember.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing notes or records. Remember to use the proper tone, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning.

記 or something close to it

记 (jì) vs 录 (lù) — use 记 for noting or remembering, while 录 specifically refers to recording or transcribing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly write 記 as 记, which is the simplified version used in Mainland China, while traditional Chinese retains 記. Ensure you use the correct form based on your learning context.

Write 記

記

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 記

Words Containing This Character20
记者jìzhěreporter記者
记得jìdeto remember記得
记jìto record記
记录jìlùto record記錄
忘记wàngjìto forget忘記
记住jìzhuto remember記住
记忆jìyìto remember記憶
登记dēngjìto register (one's name)登記
书记shūjìclerk書記
笔记本bǐjìběnnotebook (stationery)筆記本
日记rìjìdiary日記
标记biāojìsign標記
记载jìzǎito write down記載
笔记bǐjìnotes筆記
副书记deputy secretary副書記
总书记general secretary (of the Communist Party)總書記
记号jìhaomark記號
印记imprint印記
铭记míngjìto engrave in one's memory銘記
记忆力faculty of memory記憶力
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 记者 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 記

You can use 記 in sentences like '我記下了這個會議的要點' (I noted down the key points of this meeting).

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