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兮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
兮xīexclamatory particleHSK 7, y, 4 strokes, radical 八, rank #3527, Hard
兮xī(particle in old Chinese similar to 啊)HSK 7, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 八, rank #3527, Hard
xī(xi1) T1
  1. 1exclamatory particle
  2. 2(particle in old Chinese similar to 啊)
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March 24, 2026
兮xī(xi1)

The character 兮 (xī) is an exclamatory particle often found in classical Chinese literature. It serves to add emphasis, express emotion, or create a lyrical quality in poetry, akin to the modern particle 啊 (ā), but is primarily used in older texts.

Strokes4Radical八Frequency#3527DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

兮 is often found in ancient poetry and philosophical texts, reflecting the rich heritage of Chinese literary tradition. Its usage can evoke the elegance and emotional depth characteristic of classical Chinese literature.

Memory Tip

Visualize a person exclaiming 'Xi!' with excitement, as they gaze at a beautiful scene. The character 兮 resembles a person with arms raised, expressing joy or surprise.

Meanings of 兮

xī(xi1)
1exclamatory particle
2(particle in old Chinese similar to 啊)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 兮

兮Simplified
4Strokes
八Radical
语气词yǔqìcímodal particle (mod.part.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 兮

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Podcast: 兮

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AI Study Notes for 兮

Memory Mnemonic

Visualize a person exclaiming 'Xi!' with excitement, as they gaze at a beautiful scene. The character 兮 resembles a person with arms raised, expressing joy or surprise.

Usage Notes

兮 is typically used in literary or poetic contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Avoid using it in formal writing unless quoting classical texts. Remember that its tone can change the emotional impact of a sentence.

HSK Study Tips

While 兮 is not included in HSK levels, understanding its use in classical literature can enhance comprehension of Chinese poetry. Focus on recognizing it in texts rather than using it actively, as it is not part of modern vernacular.

Cultural Note

兮 is often found in ancient poetry and philosophical texts, reflecting the rich heritage of Chinese literary tradition. Its usage can evoke the elegance and emotional depth characteristic of classical Chinese literature.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 兮 with modern exclamatory particles like 啊 (ā) and attempt to use it in casual speech. For example, saying '我兮喜欢这个' instead of '我喜欢这个' (I like this) is incorrect; 兮 should not be used in this context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 兮

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Etymology of 兮

Explanation

Depicts two lines of air (八) coming from breath (丂).

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Decomposition of 兮

IDS Structure⿱八丂
兮Full Character
=
八ba1
top
丂kao3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 兮?

Write 兮

兮

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

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Grammar Patterns of 兮

兮 functions as a grammatical particle — it carries no standalone meaning but signals a grammatical relationship. Particles attach to specific positions in the sentence (clause-final 吗/吧/呢, post-verbal 了/过/着, post-noun 的) and rarely move. It carries 2 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

他总是穿着一件从来不洗的脏____兮的旧夹克。

He never washed, and always wore a filthy old jacket.

Example Sentences for 兮 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他总是穿着一件从来不洗的脏兮兮的旧夹克。

tā zǒng shì chuān zháo yī jiàn cóng lái bù xǐ de zāng xī xī de jiù jiā kè。

He never washed, and always wore a filthy old jacket.
2
他听起来既可怜兮兮的，又对想要的东西充满渴望。

tā tīng qǐ lái jì kě lián xī xī de， ， yòu duì xiǎng yào de dōng xī chōng mǎn kě。

He sounded both pitiful and eager to get what he wanted.
3
老冉冉其将至兮.

lǎo rǎn rǎn qí jiāng zhì xī.

It'seems old is slowly catching up with me.
4
他的头发像脏兮兮的雪一样披散在肩上。

tā de tóu fā xiàng zāng xī xī de xuě yī yàng pī sàn zài jiān shàng。

His hair was drifting about his shoulders like dirty snow.
5
如果要在一件纯白的T恤和一件更贵的脏兮兮的米色T恤之间选择的话，多数人都会选前者，这是无可厚非的。

rú guǒ yào zài yī jiàn chún bái deT T xù hé yī jiàn gēng guì de zāng xī xī de mǐT sè T xù zhī jiān xuǎn zé， de huà ， duō shù rén dū huì， xuǎn qián zhě ， zhè shì wú。

Given the choice between a pure white T-shirt and a more expensive, dirty cream one, most people can be forgiven for choosing the former.
6
搬运工把我们那些被雨水浸透的脏兮兮的行李放上了手推车。

bān yùn gōng bǎ wǒ mén nà xiē bèi yǔ shuǐ jìn tòu de zāng xī xī de háng lǐ fàng shàng le shǒu tuī chē。

The porter put our scruffy rain-sodden luggage on a trolley.
7
大风起兮云飞扬.

dà fēng qǐ xī yún fēi yáng.

A gale has risen and is sweeping the clouds across the sky.
8
云青青兮欲雨, 水澹 澹 兮生烟.

yún qīng qīng xī yù yǔ, , shuǐ dàn dàn.

" Clouds darken with darkness of rain, Streams pale with pallor of mist . "
9
辉流霞之灼灼兮翱海鸥之悠悠﹒.

huī liú xiá zhī zhuó zhuó xī áo hǎi ōu zhī yōu yōu﹒.

The afterglow so brilliantly aflame , ho ; the seagulls fluttering so carefree.
10
螮蝀以为梁柱兮银霞以为屏扆 ﹒.

dì dōng yǐ wéi liáng zhù xī yín xiá yǐ wéi píng yǐ﹒.

Beams and pillars of rainbow , ho , screens and drapery of silvery afterglow.

Cultural Notes for 兮

🏮Cultural insight

兮 is often found in ancient poetry and philosophical texts, reflecting the rich heritage of Chinese literary tradition. Its usage can evoke the elegance and emotional depth characteristic of classical Chinese literature.

Word Family of 兮

Words Containing This Character3
兮xī(particle in old Chinese similar to 啊)
兮兮(particle used to exaggerate certain adjectives, in particular 神經兮兮|神经兮兮, 髒兮兮|脏兮兮, 可憐兮兮|可怜兮兮, and 慘兮兮|惨兮兮)
脏兮兮dirty髒兮兮
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 兮 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 兮

兮 is not commonly used in modern Chinese; it is primarily an archaic exclamatory particle found in classical texts.