HSK 5, nr, 13 strokes, radical 心, rank #22640, Hard
慈
cí
gentle
HSK 5, nr, 13 strokes, radical 心, rank #22640, Hard
慈
cí
merciful
HSK 5, nr, 13 strokes, radical 心, rank #22640, Hard
慈
cí
kind
HSK 5, nr, 13 strokes, radical 心, rank #22640, Hard
慈
cí
humane
HSK 5, nr, 13 strokes, radical 心, rank #22640, Hard
cí(ci2)ci T2
1compassionate
2gentle
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March 24, 2026
慈cí(ci2)
The character 慈 (cí) conveys a sense of compassion, gentleness, and kindness. It is often used to describe someone who is merciful or has a nurturing disposition. Common contexts include discussing a person's character traits or describing acts of kindness towards others.
Strokes13Radical心Frequency#22640DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 慈 is often associated with maternal love and is seen in various teachings, including Confucianism, where kindness is a valued trait. Celebrations like Mother's Day emphasize the importance of 慈 in familial relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gentle mother caressing her child with a soft touch, representing the compassion embodied in the character 慈. The radical 心 (xīn), meaning 'heart', is present, emphasizing the emotional aspect of kindness. Think of 'cí' as 'see' the heart, reminding you to be compassionate.
Meanings of 慈
cí(ci2)
1compassionate
2gentle
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 慈 means.
About 慈
慈Simplified
13Strokes
心Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#22640Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 慈
Podcast: 慈
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AI Study Notes for 慈
Quick Contrast
慈 (cí) vs 仁 (rén) — use 慈 for gentle compassion, while 仁 emphasizes benevolence and moral virtue.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 慈 with similar words like 仁 (rén), which also means kindness but has a more philosophical connotation. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but tends to appear more in literary or moral discussions.
HSK Study Tips
While 慈 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is related to characters at the HSK 4 and 5 levels that involve emotions and human relationships. Focus on understanding its usage in phrases related to compassion and kindness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 慈 as 恤 (xù), which means to care for but lacks the same gentle nuance. Remember that 慈 specifically emphasizes compassion and kindness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 慈
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How Well Do You Know 慈?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 慈 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.
慈 = 心 + 兹. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 慈
IDS Structure⿱兹心
慈Full Character
=
兹zi1
top
心xin1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 慈?
How to say compassionate in Chinese
“compassionate” in Chinese is慈cí
The character 慈 (cí) conveys a sense of compassion, gentleness, and kindness. It is often used to describe someone who is merciful or has a nurturing disposition. Common contexts include discussing a person's character traits or describing acts of kindness towards others.
When to use 慈
Learners often confuse 慈 with similar words like 仁 (rén), which also means kindness but has a more philosophical connotation. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but tends to appear more in literary or moral discussions.
慈 or something close to it
慈 (cí) vs 仁 (rén) — use 慈 for gentle compassion, while 仁 emphasizes benevolence and moral virtue.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 慈 as 恤 (xù), which means to care for but lacks the same gentle nuance. Remember that 慈 specifically emphasizes compassion and kindness.
Write 慈
慈
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Practice writing 慈 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 慈
慈 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 5 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
地方法官承认该____善机构有理由提起诉讼。
The magistrates granted that the charity was justified in bringing the action.
Example Sentences for 慈 (10)
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1
地方法官承认该慈善机构有理由提起诉讼。
dì fāng fǎ guān chéng rèn gāi cí shàn jī gòu yǒu lǐ yóu tí qǐ sù sòng。
The magistrates granted that the charity was justified in bringing the action.
2
普里莫·德里韦拉本人是个仁慈而真诚的家长式人物。
pǔ lǐ mò· · dé lǐ wéi lā běn rén shì gè rén cí ér zhēn chéng de jiā cháng shì rén。
Primo de Rivera himself was a benevolent and sincere paternalist.
3
他已设立了两个慈善信托机构。
tā yǐ shè lì le liǎng gè cí shàn xìn tuō jī gòu。
He had set up two charitable trusts.
4
那是慈母般关爱与宽容的了不起的表现。
nà shì cí mǔ bān guān ài yǔ kuān róng de le bù qǐ de biǎo xiàn。
It was an incredible display of motherly love and forgiveness.
5
达德利先生已承诺将任何所获的损害赔偿额都捐给慈善机构。
dá dé lì xiān shēng yǐ chéng nuò jiāng rèn hé suǒ huò de sǔn hài péi cháng é dū juān gěi cí shàn jī gòu。
Mr Dudley has pledged to give any award to charity.
