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March 24, 2026
跖zhí(zhi2)
The character 跖 (zhí) refers to the sole of the foot, focusing on the lower part that makes contact with the ground. It is often used in literary or classical contexts, and its nuances may imply concepts related to movement or grounding. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to its variant 蹠 (zhí).
Strokes12Radical足Frequency#49016DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sole of the foot is believed to have acupuncture points that correspond to various organs in the body, highlighting the importance of foot care and reflexology in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine the sole of your foot (the 'foot sole') stepping on a giant 'Z' made of grass (the character's radicals). This visual helps you remember the pronunciation 'zhí' and the meaning, as the foot is literally 'z stepping on grass'.
Meanings of 跖
zhí(zhi2)
1the sole of the foot
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About 跖
跖Simplified
12Strokes
足Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 跖
Podcast: 跖
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AI Study Notes for 跖
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the sole of your foot (the 'foot sole') stepping on a giant 'Z' made of grass (the character's radicals). This visual helps you remember the pronunciation 'zhí' and the meaning, as the foot is literally 'z stepping on grass'.
Usage Notes
Learners might confuse 跖 with similar characters, so pay attention to the context in which it is used. It is more formal and can be found in classical texts rather than in everyday speech. Common collocations include terms related to anatomy or traditional Chinese medicine.
HSK Study Tips
Although 跖 is not part of the HSK curriculum, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary related to anatomy and literature. Focus on recognizing its use in classical texts when studying related words or phrases that describe body parts.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sole of the foot is believed to have acupuncture points that correspond to various organs in the body, highlighting the importance of foot care and reflexology in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 跖 with 蹠 due to their similar meanings and pronunciations. Remember, 蹠 is the more commonly used variant, while 跖 appears mostly in literary contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跖
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Cultural Notes for 跖
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sole of the foot is believed to have acupuncture points that correspond to various organs in the body, highlighting the importance of foot care and reflexology in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 跖
Words Containing This Character1
跖zhímetatarsus
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 跖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 跖
No, it is more frequently found in literary or scientific contexts than in casual speech.
While both are variants related to the sole of the foot, 蹠 is more commonly used in modern language.
It is not typically used in idiomatic expressions, as it is more specific and less common.
