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March 24, 2026
惜xī(xi1)
The character 惜 (xī) means to cherish or to feel regret about something lost. It is often used in contexts where one expresses a sense of pity or reluctance to part with something of value, whether it be an object, time, or feelings. This word is nuanced by its emotional depth, conveying a sense of valuing what one has or the sadness of loss.
Strokes11Radical忄Frequency#17142DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of cherishing what one has is deeply rooted, often reflected in sayings about valuing relationships and time. The emotion expressed by 惜 is also relevant during traditional festivals like Qingming, where people remember and cherish their ancestors.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person holding a precious item tightly, feeling regret at the thought of losing it. The character 惜 includes the heart radical 心, symbolizing emotions like love and sadness, combined with the component 夕 (xī), which can represent the evening—a time of reflection on what we cherish.
Meanings of 惜
xī(xi1)
1to cherish
2to begrudge
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 惜
惜Simplified
11Strokes
忄Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#17142Frequency Rank
Podcast: 惜
Podcast: 惜
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AI Study Notes for 惜
Quick Contrast
怜 (lián) vs 惜 (xī): use 惜 when emphasizing regret or reluctance about loss; use 怜 for expressing pity or compassion towards someone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person holding a precious item tightly, feeling regret at the thought of losing it. The character 惜 includes the heart radical 心, symbolizing emotions like love and sadness, combined with the component 夕 (xī), which can represent the evening—a time of reflection on what we cherish.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation as it can be confused with similar-sounding words like '喜' (xǐ, to like). 惜 is more formal and is often used in literary contexts, so it may not be common in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 惜时 (xī shí, to cherish time) and 惜命 (xī mìng, to value life).
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the standard HSK levels, 惜 can be linked to advanced vocabulary related to emotions and values. Students should pay attention to its usage in literature and poetry, as it often appears in contexts discussing loss and appreciation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of cherishing what one has is deeply rooted, often reflected in sayings about valuing relationships and time. The emotion expressed by 惜 is also relevant during traditional festivals like Qingming, where people remember and cherish their ancestors.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 惜 with similar-sounding words like 喜 (xǐ, to like). For example, saying '我很惜这个' (wǒ hěn xī zhège, I really like this) instead of '我很喜欢这个' (wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhège) is incorrect. Always consider the emotional context when using 惜.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 惜
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Grammar Patterns of 惜
惜 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). It carries 6 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.
Don't get me wrong, it's interesting work. But it's not permanent.
9
可惜我帮不了你的忙.
kě xī wǒ bāng bù le nǐ de máng.
It is to be regretted that I can't help you.
10
可惜的是，竹子开花后便会枯死。
kě xī de shì， ， zhú zǐ kāi huā hòu biàn huì kū。
Sadly, bamboo plants die after flowering.
Cultural Notes for 惜
💡Did you know?
'惜' is often used in the context of relationships or opportunities. It emphasizes the importance of valuing what one has, a theme that resonates deeply in Chinese culture, where familial and social bonds are highly regarded.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of cherishing what one has is deeply rooted, often reflected in sayings about valuing relationships and time. The emotion expressed by 惜 is also relevant during traditional festivals like Qingming, where people remember and cherish their ancestors.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike in many Western cultures where the emphasis might be on moving forward, the Chinese often place significant value on cherishing memories and past experiences, which can lead to a stronger sense of nostalgia.
Word Family of 惜
Words Containing This Character19
可惜kěxīit is a pity
珍惜zhēnxīto treasure
不惜bùxīnot stint
惜xīto cherish
惋惜wǎnxīto regret
爱惜àixīto cherish愛惜
怜惜liánxīto take pity on憐惜
痛惜to lament
吝惜to stint
惺惺相惜to sympathize with one another
疼惜to cherish
怜香惜玉to have tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex (idiom)憐香惜玉
惜别reluctant to part惜別
叹惜sigh of regret嘆惜
顾惜to value顧惜
惺惺惜惺惺to sympathize with one another
体惜to empathize體惜
悯惜to feel compassion for憫惜
惜香怜玉to have tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex (idiom)惜香憐玉
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 可惜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 惜
Some synonyms for 惜 (xī) include 爱惜 (àixī), which means to cherish or treasure, and 可惜 (kěxī), which means it's a pity. Both convey similar sentiments of valuing or regretting something.
While 惜 (xī) is not as commonly used in everyday conversation as some other verbs, it still appears in literary contexts and discussions about value and emotions. Understanding its usage can deepen your appreciation of Chinese literature and expressions.
惜 (xī) means to cherish or to begrudge. It can also convey a sense of pity or regret regarding something that is valued or missed. The character encapsulates the idea of holding something dear or being reluctant to part with it.
To use 惜 (xī) in a sentence, you can say something like '我很惜这个机会' (wǒ hěn xī zhège jīhuì), which means 'I cherish this opportunity.' It emphasizes the value you place on the item or situation.
You can say '我很惜时间' (wǒ hěn xī shíjiān), meaning 'I cherish time'.
It's more commonly found in written or formal contexts, like literature or poetry.
可惜 (kě xī) means 'it's a pity' or 'what a pity', while 惜 implies a deeper sense of cherishing and regret.
