Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
徙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
徙xǐ(literary) to change one's residencevg, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #51281, Very Hard
徙xǐto move, to shift; to migratevg, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #51281, Very Hard
xǐ(xi3) T3
  1. 1(literary) to change one's residence
  2. 2to move, to shift; to migrate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
徙xǐ(xi3)

The character 徙 (xǐ) primarily means to change one's residence or to migrate. It is often used in literary contexts to express the act of moving from one place to another, whether for personal, social, or political reasons, and can carry connotations of significant change or transition.

Strokes11Radical彳Frequency#51281DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, migration has played a significant role in shaping demographics and culture, particularly during dynastic changes when people would move to new areas for opportunities or safety.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person carrying their belongings on their back, symbolizing the act of moving (迁移). The character 徙 has the radical '行' (to walk) suggesting movement, combined with '止' (to stop), representing the journey from one residence to another. Think of 'xǐ' sounding like 'she,' who is moving her house!

Meanings of 徙

xǐ(xi3)
1(literary) to change one's residence
2to move, to shift; to migrate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 徙

徙Simplified
11Strokes
彳Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#51281Frequency Rank

Podcast: 徙

JasonAmy

Podcast: 徙

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 徙

Quick Contrast

迁 (qiān) - use 迁 for more common or everyday contexts of moving or relocating; 徙 emphasizes a more literary or formal sense of migration.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person carrying their belongings on their back, symbolizing the act of moving (迁移). The character 徙 has the radical '行' (to walk) suggesting movement, combined with '止' (to stop), representing the journey from one residence to another. Think of 'xǐ' sounding like 'she,' who is moving her house!

Usage Notes

Learners should note that 徙 is more formal and literary compared to the more common term for moving, 搬家 (bānjiā). Be cautious with tone; the third tone should not be confused with the first tone in similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 徙 is not included in the HSK levels, it relates to HSK 5 vocabulary focusing on movement and change, such as 迁移 (qiānyí, to migrate). Students should pay attention to the context in which literary terms are used.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, migration has played a significant role in shaping demographics and culture, particularly during dynastic changes when people would move to new areas for opportunities or safety.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 徙 with more colloquial terms for moving, mistakenly using it in casual contexts. For example, saying '我想要徙去新家' (wǒ xiǎng yào xǐ qù xīn jiā) should be corrected to '我想要搬家去新家' (wǒ xiǎng yào bān jiā qù xīn jiā).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 徙

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 徙 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 徙

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

To step 彳 out on a long journey 歨

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 徙?

Decomposition of 徙

IDS Structure⿰彳歨
徙Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
歨bu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 徙?

Write 徙

徙

Practice writing 徙 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 徙

徙 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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

灰白的天空中满是迁____的飞鸟。

Migrating birds filled the pale sky.

Example Sentences for 徙 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
灰白的天空中满是迁徙的飞鸟。

huī bái de tiān kōng zhōng mǎn shì qiān xǐ de fēi niǎo。

Migrating birds filled the pale sky.
2
这些鸟春天向北迁徙,秋天向南迁徙.

zhè xiē niǎo chūn tiān xiàng běi qiān xǐ, , qiū tiān xiàng nán qiān.

These birds migrate northwards in spring and southwards in fall.
3
有些鸟随季节迁徙.

yǒu xiē niǎo suí jì jié qiān xǐ.

Some birds migrate as season changes.
4
冬天时,许多鸟类迁徙南方.

dōng tiān shí, , xǔ duō niǎo lèi qiān xǐ nán.

Many birds migrate south for the winter.

Cultural Notes for 徙

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, migration has played a significant role in shaping demographics and culture, particularly during dynastic changes when people would move to new areas for opportunities or safety.

Word Family of 徙

Compounds8
屣xi3sandals, slippers
嘥
簁
縰
蓰xi3to increase five-fold
蹝
漇
褷
Words Containing This Character4
迁徙qiānxǐto migrate遷徙
徙xǐ(literary) to change one's residence
转徙to migrate轉徙
曲突徙薪fig. to take preventive measures
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 屣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 徙

No, 徙 is more commonly found in literary texts and formal writing rather than in everyday conversation.