HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #1908, Hard
jī(ji1) T1
1base
2foundation
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
基jī(ji1)
The character 基 (jī) primarily means 'base' or 'foundation.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as in mathematics, science, and everyday language to denote the underlying support or fundamental principle of something. Additionally, it can have a slang meaning referring to a gay person in informal contexts.
Strokes11Radical土Frequency#1908DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is often emphasized in education and relationships, reflecting the societal value placed on stability and support. The term 基础 is frequently used in educational contexts to signify the importance of building knowledge step by step.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy base (基) holding up a tall building. The character's form suggests stability, with the horizontal line at the bottom representing a strong foundation. Think of 'jī' as the 'key' to building something strong and lasting.
Meanings of 基
jī(ji1)
1base
2foundation
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 基
基Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1908Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 基
Podcast: 基
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 基
Quick Contrast
基础 (jīchǔ) - use 基 (jī) for 'base' in a general sense, while 基础 (jīchǔ) specifically refers to a foundational basis or principle in a more abstract or formal context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sturdy base (基) holding up a tall building. The character's form suggests stability, with the horizontal line at the bottom representing a strong foundation. Think of 'jī' as the 'key' to building something strong and lasting.
Usage Notes
Be cautious about using 基 in formal contexts where a more specific term might be preferred. Common collocations include 基础 (jīchǔ, 'foundation') and 基因 (jīyīn, 'gene'). In spoken Mandarin, ensure you pronounce it with the first tone to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 基 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to related terms such as 基础 (foundational) and 基因 (gene), which may appear in higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in compound words, as this will enhance your vocabulary and comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is often emphasized in education and relationships, reflecting the societal value placed on stability and support. The term 基础 is frequently used in educational contexts to signify the importance of building knowledge step by step.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 基 (base) with 机 (jī, machine) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我需要一个基' (wǒ xūyào yīgè jī) when meaning 'I need a machine' is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个机.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 基
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 基 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 基 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 基
基 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 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 Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is often emphasized in education and relationships, reflecting the societal value placed on stability and support. The term 基础 is frequently used in educational contexts to signify the importance of building knowledge step by step.
Word Family of 基
Compounds5
塞Sai1Serbia
禥
樭
璂
簊
Words Containing This Character20
基本jīběnbasic
基金jījīnfund
基础jīchǔbase基礎
基jībase
基地jīdìal-Qaeda
基因jīyīngene (loanword)
基于jīyúbecause of基於
基本上jīběnshàngbasically
基督Christ
巴基斯坦Pakistan
基层jīcéngbasic level基層
基金会foundation (institution supported by an endowment)基金會
基督教jīdūjiàoChristianity
基督徒Christian
比基尼bikini (loanword)
基准jīzhǔnnorm基準
诺基亚Nokia (company name)諾基亞
肯塔基Kentucky, US state
肯德基KFC
地基base
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 塞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 基
Examples of 基 (jī) include phrases like '基础教育' (basic education) and '基因' (gene). These terms illustrate how 基 is used to convey foundational concepts in various fields, from education to biology.
基 (jī) relates to other words such as 基础 (jīchǔ), meaning 'foundation', and 基本 (jīběn), meaning 'basic' or 'fundamental'. These words share a common theme of foundational concepts, highlighting its importance in constructing meaning in Chinese vocabulary.
基 (jī) means 'base' or 'foundation' in Chinese. It can refer to a fundamental principle or the basic structure of something. Additionally, in chemistry, it denotes the concept of a radical or base. In slang, it can also refer to 'gay'.
To use 基 (jī) in a sentence, you can say '这座建筑是基于坚固的基础' which means 'This building is based on a solid foundation.' You can also use it in phrases like '基于此' meaning 'based on this'. This shows its versatility in both formal and colloquial contexts.
Common phrases include 基础 (jīchǔ), which means 'foundation,' and 基因 (jīyīn), which means 'gene.'
Yes, in informal contexts, 基 can refer to a gay person.
It is pronounced with a high, even tone (first tone), like 'jee.'
