to scold, to upbraid; to accuse, to blame; to reproach
zg, 5 strokes, radical 斤, rank #37447, Very Hard
chì(chi4) T4
1to blame
2to reprove
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March 24, 2026
斥chì(chi4)
The character 斥 (chì) primarily means to blame or reprimand someone for their actions. It is commonly used in contexts where authority figures express disapproval or where someone is expelled from a group or territory. The nuance can vary from a simple reproach to a more severe expulsion.
Strokes5Radical斤Frequency#37447DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, authority figures such as teachers or parents often reprimand children as a way to instill discipline and respect. The concept of reprimanding is deeply rooted in Confucian values, where maintaining social harmony is essential.
Memory Tip
Imagine a teacher (representing authority) waving a ruler (the radical 竹, meaning bamboo, often associated with teaching) towards a student who is misbehaving. The sound 'chì' can be remembered as the sharp sound a ruler makes when it strikes the desk, symbolizing reprimanding.
Meanings of 斥
chì(chi4)
1to blame
2to reprove
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 斥
斥Simplified
5Strokes
斤Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#37447Frequency Rank
Podcast: 斥
Podcast: 斥
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AI Study Notes for 斥
Quick Contrast
斥 (chì) vs 责 (zé) — use 斥 for stronger disapproval or expulsion, while 责 implies responsibility or blame without necessarily expelling.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 斥 (chì) with similar-sounding characters that convey different meanings. This character is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or authoritative language. Common collocations include 斥责 (chìzé, to reprimand) and 斥退 (chìtuì, to expel).
HSK Study Tips
Although 斥 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK Level 5 words like 责 (zé, to blame) and 退 (tuì, to retreat), which also involve themes of responsibility and action. Focus on using it in sentences to understand its implications fully.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 斥 (chì) with 迟 (chí, meaning late), leading to incorrect sentences like '我斥到了学校' (I reprimanded at school) instead of the correct '我迟到了学校' (I was late to school). Always pay attention to tones and meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 斥
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Originally written as 㡿. Composed of 广 (roof) and 屰 (contrary; oppose). The purpose of the 广 component is unclear.
1The giveawaySomeone scolded for cutting themselves 丶 with an axe 斤
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 斥? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 斥?
Decomposition of 斥
IDS Structure⿸斤丶
斥Full Character
=
斤jin1
enclosing
丶—
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 斥?
How to say to blame in Chinese
“to blame” in Chinese is斥chì
The character 斥 (chì) primarily means to blame or reprimand someone for their actions. It is commonly used in contexts where authority figures express disapproval or where someone is expelled from a group or territory. The nuance can vary from a simple reproach to a more severe expulsion.
When to use 斥
Be careful not to confuse 斥 (chì) with similar-sounding characters that convey different meanings. This character is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or authoritative language. Common collocations include 斥责 (chìzé, to reprimand) and 斥退 (chìtuì, to expel).
斥 or something close to it
斥 (chì) vs 责 (zé) — use 斥 for stronger disapproval or expulsion, while 责 implies responsibility or blame without necessarily expelling.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 斥 (chì) with 迟 (chí, meaning late), leading to incorrect sentences like '我斥到了学校' (I reprimanded at school) instead of the correct '我迟到了学校' (I was late to school). Always pay attention to tones and meanings.
Write 斥
斥
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Practice writing 斥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 斥
斥 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我因为没给他打电话，被狠狠训____了一顿。
I got a severe telling off for not phoning him.
Example Sentences for 斥 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我因为没给他打电话，被狠狠训斥了一顿。
wǒ yīn wéi méi gěi tā dǎ diàn huà， ， bèi hěn hěn xùn chì le yī。
I got a severe telling off for not phoning him.
2
谈到烹饪，法国人会颇为得意并且极端排斥外国菜。
tán dào pēng rèn， ， fǎ guó rén huì pō wéi dé yì bìng qiě jí duān pái chì wài guó。
The French are proud and highly xenophobic when it comes to cooking.
