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March 24, 2026
诫(誡)jiè(jie4)
The character 诫 (jiè) primarily means to warn or admonish someone, often in the context of giving a commandment or prohibition. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in religious or moral teachings, where it conveys the importance of heeding warnings and following guidelines.
Strokes9Radical讠Frequency#14865DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 诫 is often found in classical texts, including Confucian teachings, where it emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.
Memory Tip
Think of 诫 (jiè) as a 'jet' flying high in the sky, carrying a message of caution. The left component 讠 (yán) relates to speech, suggesting that this is a verbal warning, while the right component 戒 (jiè) visually resembles a person standing firm, indicating a strong command to adhere to advice or rules.
Meanings of 诫
jiè(jie4)
1commandment
2to prohibit
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 诫
诫Simplified
誡Traditional
9Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#14865Frequency Rank
Podcast: 诫
Podcast: 诫
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AI Study Notes for 诫
Quick Contrast
警告 (jǐnggào) vs 诫 (jiè): Use 诫 when emphasizing moral or formal admonition, while 警告 is more about general warnings.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 诫 (jiè) as a 'jet' flying high in the sky, carrying a message of caution. The left component 讠 (yán) relates to speech, suggesting that this is a verbal warning, while the right component 戒 (jiè) visually resembles a person standing firm, indicating a strong command to adhere to advice or rules.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 诫 with other similar-sounding characters like 介 (jiè) meaning 'to introduce.' Remember that 诫 is used in more serious contexts involving warnings. It is typically used in formal writing or speech rather than casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
While 诫 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with other characters that relate to speech or warnings, such as 告 (gào) meaning 'to tell.' Focus on understanding its use in context when reading texts that discuss moral teachings or prohibitions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 诫 is often found in classical texts, including Confucian teachings, where it emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 诫 with 介 (jiè), leading to incorrect meanings in sentences like '他给我一个介诫' (He gave me an introduction warning), which should be '他给我一个诫诫' (He gave me a warning). Pay attention to the context in which you use these characters.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 诫
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Grammar Patterns of 诫
诫 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他们反复告____她，让她不要告诉任何人。
They drummed it into her that she was not to tell anyone.
Example Sentences for 诫 (9)
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1
他们反复告诫她，让她不要告诉任何人。
tā mén fǎn fù gào jiè tā， ， ràng tā bù yào gào sù rèn hé。
They drummed it into her that she was not to tell anyone.
In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.
7
他身旁的书偶然翻开到写着圣保罗对罗马人的告诫那页。
tā shēn páng de shū ǒu rán fān kāi dào xiě zháo shèng bǎo luó duì luó mǎ rén de gào jiè nà yè。
By chance the book beside him fell open to St. Paul's warning to the Romans.
8
他意识到医生在告诫他戒酒.
tā yì shí dào yī shēng zài gào jiè tā jiè jiǔ.
He realized that his doctor was warning him off drink.
9
他告诫自己这种难受的感觉正好是全愈的先兆.
tā gào jiè zì jǐ zhè zhǒng nán shòu de gǎn jué zhèng hǎo shì quán yù de xiān zhào.
He told himself that it was with the pang which procedes recovery.
Cultural Notes for 诫
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 诫 is often found in classical texts, including Confucian teachings, where it emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.
Word Family of 诫
Words Containing This Character7
告诫gàojièto warn告誡
诫jiècommandment誡
训诫to reprimand訓誡
劝诫to exhort勸誡
谆谆告诫to admonish諄諄告誡
规诫to admonish規誡
小惩大诫lit. to punish a little to prevent a lot (idiom); to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent large scale repetition小懲大誡
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 告诫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 诫
It can be used to express warnings, such as '父母常常诫子女要好好学习' (Parents often admonish their children to study well).
No, it is more commonly found in formal or literary contexts rather than in casual speech.
Synonyms include 警告 (jǐnggào), which means 'to warn,' but 诫 carries a more formal and moral connotation.
