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March 24, 2026
匙chí(chi2)
The character 匙 (chí) primarily means 'spoon,' a common utensil used for eating or serving food. It can also serve as a surname in Chinese culture, though this usage is less frequent. In culinary contexts, it specifically denotes the tool used for scooping liquids or soft foods.
Strokes11Radical匕Frequency#9700DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese dining, spoons are often used for soups and rice dishes, highlighting the importance of communal eating and shared meals in Chinese culture. The character reflects this culinary significance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a spoon (匕) that is cleverly designed like a key (匙) to unlock the delicious flavors of your food. The character combines the radical for 'spoon' and the shape resembling a key, making it memorable by visualizing the act of 'unlocking' taste with your spoon.
Meanings of 匙
chí(chi2)
primary
1spoon
2spoon; surname
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 匙
匙Simplified
11Strokes
匕Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9700Frequency Rank
Podcast: 匙
Podcast: 匙
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AI Study Notes for 匙
Quick Contrast
勺 (sháo, ladle) — use 匙 (chí) when referring specifically to a spoon, while 勺 (sháo) is used for a ladle, typically larger and used for serving.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a spoon (匕) that is cleverly designed like a key (匙) to unlock the delicious flavors of your food. The character combines the radical for 'spoon' and the shape resembling a key, making it memorable by visualizing the act of 'unlocking' taste with your spoon.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it sounds like other similar characters but has a distinct meaning. In informal contexts, people may refer to it casually as '勺子' (sháozi), which also means spoon but is more common in everyday language. Remember to use '匙' when discussing utensils in a more formal setting.
HSK Study Tips
While not included in the HSK levels, learning 匙 (chí) can enhance your vocabulary related to dining and cooking, connecting it to other food-related words. Focus on learning synonyms and related utensils to build a comprehensive culinary vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese dining, spoons are often used for soups and rice dishes, highlighting the importance of communal eating and shared meals in Chinese culture. The character reflects this culinary significance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 匙 (chí) with the character 勺 (sháo), which also means spoon but is more colloquial. For example, saying '我需要一个匙' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chí) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我需要一个勺子' (wǒ xūyào yīgè sháozi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 匙
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Grammar Patterns of 匙
匙 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). 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.
In traditional Chinese dining, spoons are often used for soups and rice dishes, highlighting the importance of communal eating and shared meals in Chinese culture. The character reflects this culinary significance.
Word Family of 匙
Words Containing This Character7
钥匙yàoshikey鑰匙
匙chíspoon
汤匙soup spoon湯匙
茶匙teaspoon
锁匙(dialect) key鎖匙
钥匙链keychain鑰匙鏈
一把钥匙开一把锁One key opens one lock.一把鑰匙開一把鎖
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钥匙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 匙
Yes, 匙 (chí) can also be a surname, but it is relatively uncommon compared to other Chinese surnames. It is essential to distinguish its use as a surname from its primary meaning as 'spoon.'
匙 (chí) refers specifically to a spoon, while 勺 (sháo) can refer to a ladle or a spoon but is typically used for larger scooping utensils. Understanding the context can help determine which is more appropriate to use.
匙 (chí) means 'spoon' in Chinese. It can also be used as a surname. The character is commonly used in culinary contexts when referring to utensils.
You can use 匙 in a sentence like '请给我一把匙' which means 'Please give me a spoon.' It's important to note the context when using the character to indicate whether you are referring to the utensil or the surname.
The correct pronunciation is 'chí' with a rising tone.
Yes, but it is more common to hear '勺子' (sháozi) in casual settings for 'spoon'.
Typically, it refers to a standard spoon; for specific types, other terms are used.
