HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
news
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
interest (on an investment or loan)
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
to cease
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
to stop
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
to rest
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
Taiwan pr. [xí]
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
to end, to cease, to put a stop to; pause, breath, rest; news
HSK 3, zg, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
息
xī
Taiwan pr. [xi2]
HSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #12778, Hard
xī(xi1) 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#12778DifficultyHard
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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
The news gave a fillip to the telecommunications sector.
10
他们从最初的市场测试中了解了许多信息。
tā mén cóng zuì chū de shì cháng cè shì zhōng le jiě le xǔ duō xìn xī。
They learnt a lot from the initial market testing exercise.
Cultural Notes for 息
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 息
Compounds6
熄xi1to extinguish
媳xi2daughter-in-law
螅xi1intestinal worm
瘜xi1polypus
鎴
蒠
Words Containing This Character20
消息xiāoxinews
信息xìnxīnews
休息xiūxirest
息xībreath
气息qìxībreath氣息
利息lìxīinterest (on a loan)
信息化informatization (the Information Age analog of industrialization)
窒息zhìxīto choke
安息to rest
叹息to sigh嘆息
休息室lobby
讯息news訊息
平息píngxīto quieten down
信息技术IT信息技術
信息系统information system信息系統
喘息chuǎnxīto gasp for breath
栖息dwelling棲息
息息相关xīxīxiāngguānclosely bound up (idiom); intimately related息息相關
奄奄一息dying
作息zuòxīto work and rest
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 熄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 息
The correct pronunciation is xī, with a high level tone.
Yes, 息 can be used in various contexts, including both casual conversations and formal writing.
Common phrases include 息息相关 (xīxī xiāngguān, closely related) and 利息 (lìxī, interest).
