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March 24, 2026
趾zhǐ(zhi3)
The character 趾 (zhǐ) primarily refers to the 'toe' of the foot. It can also denote tracks or footprints, emphasizing the marks left by feet. This term is commonly used in anatomical or descriptive contexts.
Strokes11Radical足Frequency#13901DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the health of your toes (趾) is believed to reflect overall bodily health, linking foot care to wellness practices in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant toe (趾) standing tall on the ground, leaving a big footprint (足) behind. The character has the foot radical (足) which connects to its meaning, and you can remember its pronunciation 'zhǐ' by picturing a shoe size chart that measures each toe.
Meanings of 趾
zhǐ(zhi3)
1toe; tracks, footprints
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 趾
趾Simplified
11Strokes
足Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 趾
Podcast: 趾
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AI Study Notes for 趾
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant toe (趾) standing tall on the ground, leaving a big footprint (足) behind. The character has the foot radical (足) which connects to its meaning, and you can remember its pronunciation 'zhǐ' by picturing a shoe size chart that measures each toe.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 趾 with similar-sounding characters. It is more formal and anatomical than the general term for 'foot' (脚, jiǎo). Common collocations include '足趾' (zú zhǐ), meaning 'toe', emphasizing its anatomical context.
HSK Study Tips
Although 趾 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to body parts, like 手 (shǒu, hand) and 足 (zú, foot). Focus on recognizing it in medical or anatomical texts as you advance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the health of your toes (趾) is believed to reflect overall bodily health, linking foot care to wellness practices in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 趾 with 脚 (jiǎo), which means 'foot'. For example, saying '我的趾痛' (wǒ de zhǐ tòng) is incorrect; it should be '我的脚痛' (wǒ de jiǎo tòng) for 'my foot hurts'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 趾
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Grammar Patterns of 趾
趾 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). 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
她意识到自己____高气扬的步伐已变成了拖着脚走路了。
She noticed her own proud walk had become a shuffle.
Example Sentences for 趾 (10)
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1
她意识到自己趾高气扬的步伐已变成了拖着脚走路了。
tā yì shí dào zì jǐ zhǐ gāo qì yáng de bù fá yǐ biàn chéng le tuō zháo jiǎo zǒu lù le。
She noticed her own proud walk had become a shuffle.
2
五大三粗的恶汉趾高气扬地走过来，居高临下地对我咆哮着。
wǔ dà sān cū de è hàn zhǐ gāo qì yáng dì zǒu guò lái， ， jū gāo lín xià dì duì wǒ páo xiào。
The burly brute swaggered forward, towering over me, and shouted.
Jeanie followed her consequential and surly, but not brutal, conductor towards the rectory.
Cultural Notes for 趾
🏮Cultural insight
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the health of your toes (趾) is believed to reflect overall bodily health, linking foot care to wellness practices in daily life.
Word Family of 趾
Words Containing This Character6
脚趾toe腳趾
趾zhǐtoe
脚趾头toe腳趾頭
趾高气扬high and mighty (idiom); arrogant趾高氣揚
趾甲toenail
交趾former southernmost province of the Chinese Empire, now northern Vietnam
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 脚趾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 趾
It is pronounced as 'zhǐ', with a falling tone, similar to the 'ee' in 'see' but with a 'zh' sound.
It's more commonly used in formal or medical contexts, so in casual conversation, you might just refer to feet with '脚' (jiǎo).
You can use '足趾' to refer specifically to toes, or '趾骨' to talk about toe bones.
