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息 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
息
xī
breath
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
news
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
interest (on an investment or loan)
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
to cease
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
to stop
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
to rest
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
Taiwan pr. [xí]
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
to end, to cease, to put a stop to; pause, breath, rest; news
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
息
xī
Taiwan pr. [xi2]
HSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Medium
xī(xi1)xi T1
1breath
2news
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March 24, 2026
息xī(xi1)
The character 息 (xī) primarily means 'breath' or 'rest,' often used in contexts referring to taking a pause or stopping an activity. It can also denote 'news' or 'information,' as well as 'interest' in financial contexts. This character is versatile and can imply both physical cessation and the transmission of information.
Strokes10Radical心Frequency#12778DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, breathing exercises are often emphasized for health, making 息 a significant concept in wellness practices. The character's association with breath also connects to the philosophical idea of 'qi' (气), the vital energy in Chinese culture.
Memory tip
Imagine a person taking a deep breath (息) after running a race, symbolizing a moment of pause or rest. The character resembles someone inhaling deeply, with the radical for 'heart' (心) indicating the emotional aspect of breathing and resting.
Meanings of 息
xī(xi1)
1breath
2news
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 息 means.
About 息
息Simplified
10Strokes
心Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#12778Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3
Podcast: 息
Podcast: 息
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AI study notes for 息
Quick Contrast
息 (xī) vs 休 (xiū) — use 息 when referring specifically to breath or a pause in activity, while 休 is more about resting or taking a break.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 息 with similar-sounding words like 西 (xī, west) or 喜 (xǐ, to be happy), which can lead to miscommunication. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, so pay attention to the surrounding words to grasp its specific meaning. Common collocations include 息息相关 (xīxī xiāngguān, closely related) and 利息 (lìxī, interest).
HSK Study Tips
While 息 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance comprehension of phrases related to rest and finance that may appear in HSK materials. Focus on recognizing its components and using it in context to build vocabulary around related themes like health or economics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 息 as xí instead of the correct xī. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar characters, leading to incorrect meanings, such as using 息 for 'joy' instead of 喜.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 息
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How well do you know 息?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 息 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 息 (xī) primarily means 'breath' or 'rest,' often used in contexts referring to taking a pause or stopping an activity. It can also denote 'news' or 'information,' as well as 'interest' in financial contexts. This character is versatile and can imply both physical cessation and the transmission of information.
When to use 息
Learners often confuse 息 with similar-sounding words like 西 (xī, west) or 喜 (xǐ, to be happy), which can lead to miscommunication. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, so pay attention to the surrounding words to grasp its specific meaning. Common collocations include 息息相关 (xīxī xiāngguān, closely related) and 利息 (lìxī, interest).
息 or something close to it
息 (xī) vs 休 (xiū) — use 息 when referring specifically to breath or a pause in activity, while 休 is more about resting or taking a break.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 息 as xí instead of the correct xī. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar characters, leading to incorrect meanings, such as using 息 for 'joy' instead of 喜.
Write 息
息
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Practice writing 息 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 息
息 carries 9 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
