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妓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
prostituten, 7 strokes, radical 女, rank #6901, Hard
(ji4) T4
  1. 1prostitute
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(ji4)

The character 妓 (jì) refers specifically to a prostitute or sex worker. It is often used in discussions about societal issues, laws, and cultural attitudes towards sex work in Chinese-speaking communities.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#6901DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of sex work is often intertwined with historical perspectives on women and morality. The term 妓 is often used in legal contexts regarding prostitution laws in modern China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a woman (女, which is a radical in 妓) who is dressed provocatively, standing under a neon sign at night, calling out for customers. The 'jì' sound can remind you of 'giddy', as if the woman is in a lively, chaotic environment.

Meanings of 妓

(ji4)
1prostitute
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 妓

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 妓

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 妓

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a woman (女, which is a radical in 妓) who is dressed provocatively, standing under a neon sign at night, calling out for customers. The 'jì' sound can remind you of 'giddy', as if the woman is in a lively, chaotic environment.

Usage Notes

This term is generally considered informal and may carry negative connotations. It's important to use it carefully, especially in formal settings or discussions. Common collocations include 妓女 (jìnǚ, prostitute) and 妓院 (jìyuàn, brothel).

HSK Study Tips

While 妓 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to discussions about societal issues, which may appear in higher-level reading materials. Students should focus on related terms in the context of social issues.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of sex work is often intertwined with historical perspectives on women and morality. The term 妓 is often used in legal contexts regarding prostitution laws in modern China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 妓 with similar-sounding words like 记 (jì, to remember) and may use it incorrectly in formal contexts. It's important to keep the context of usage in mind.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 妓

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Etymology of 妓

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A working 支 woman 女; 支 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 妓?

Decomposition of 妓

IDS Structure⿰女支
Full Character
=
nü3
left
Zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 妓?

Write 妓

Practice writing 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 妓

妓 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). 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

禁止____女在马路上和公共场所公然拉客。

Prostitutes were forbidden to solicit on public roads and in public places.

Example Sentences for 妓 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
禁止妓女在马路上和公共场所公然拉客。

jīn zhǐ jì nǚ zài mǎ lù shàng hé gōng gòng cháng suǒ gōng rán lā kè。

Prostitutes were forbidden to solicit on public roads and in public places.
2
我在皮卡底里广场遇到妓女公开向我兜揽生意.

wǒ zài pí kǎ dǐ lǐ guǎng cháng yù dào jì nǚ gōng kāi xiàng wǒ dōu lǎn shēng yì.

I was openly solicited at Piccadilly Circus.
3
娼妓靠赚肮脏钱生活.

chāng jì kào zhuàn āng zāng qián shēng huó.

A prostitute lives off immoral earnings.
4
很多逃到伦敦来的姑娘最后都沦为妓女.

hěn duō táo dào lún dūn lái de gū niáng zuì hòu dū lún wéi jì nǚ.

Many girls who run away to London eventually go on the streets.

Cultural Notes for 妓

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of sex work is often intertwined with historical perspectives on women and morality. The term 妓 is often used in legal contexts regarding prostitution laws in modern China.

Word Family of 妓

Words Containing This Character7
妓女prostitute
prostitute
妓院brothel
娼妓prostitute
艺妓艺伎[yì​jì]藝妓
嫖妓to visit a prostitute
狎妓(old) to visit prostitutes
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 妓女 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 妓

No, it is typically used in specific contexts related to discussions about sex work and is not used casually.