Meanings of 髭
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About 髭
Podcast: 髭
Podcast: 髭
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AI Study Notes for 髭
胡须 (húxū) - use 髭 (zī) specifically for mustaches, whereas 胡须 refers to beards or facial hair in general.
髭 is often used in more formal settings, and learners should avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler terms like '胡子' (húzi, beard) may be more common. Be careful with tone: the first tone is crucial, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
Though 髭 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other words related to facial features and grooming. Students should focus on recognizing it in context, especially in literary texts, while also learning vocabulary related to facial hair more generally.
Learners often confuse 髭 with 胡子 (húzi), mistakenly using 髭 when referring to all types of facial hair. It's important to remember that 髭 specifically means 'mustache' only.
Pronunciation of 髭
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Etymology of 髭
hair
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 髭
- 1The meaning half髟 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half此 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhair
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 髭? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 髭?
Decomposition of 髭
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 髭?
How to say mustache in Chinese
“mustache” in Chinese is髭
The character 髭 (zī) refers specifically to a mustache, a type of facial hair that grows above the upper lip. It is often used in contexts discussing grooming, appearance, or personal style, and can also appear in literary or poetic descriptions. The term carries a somewhat formal or elegant connotation.
When to use 髭
髭 is often used in more formal settings, and learners should avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler terms like '胡子' (húzi, beard) may be more common. Be careful with tone: the first tone is crucial, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
髭 or something close to it
胡须 (húxū) - use 髭 (zī) specifically for mustaches, whereas 胡须 refers to beards or facial hair in general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 髭 with 胡子 (húzi), mistakenly using 髭 when referring to all types of facial hair. It's important to remember that 髭 specifically means 'mustache' only.
Write 髭
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Practice writing 髭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 髭
髭 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
“ 不行, ” 姓吴的忧愁地说;但随即咽住了,捻着唇边仅有的几根二三分长的____须.
" Bad,'said Wu looking worried and toying with his moustache.
Example Sentences for 髭 (3)
Word Family of 髭
Compound Meaning
What does 髭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 髭
髭 is less common in casual speech; people tend to use 胡子 (húzi) instead.
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