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既 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
既
jì
already
HSK 4, c, 9 strokes, radical 旡, rank #2523, Medium
既
jì
since
HSK 4, c, 9 strokes, radical 旡, rank #2523, Medium
既
jì
both... (and...)
HSK 4, c, 9 strokes, radical 旡, rank #2523, Medium
既
jì
already, since, then; both; de facto
HSK 4, c, 9 strokes, radical 旡, rank #2523, Medium
jì(ji4)ji T4
1already
2since
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March 24, 2026
既jì(ji4)
The character 既 (jì) primarily means 'already' and is often used to indicate something that has occurred or been established. It can also convey the idea of 'since' in temporal contexts and is frequently paired with other words to express duality, such as 'both... and...'. Its usage is common in both spoken and written Chinese, particularly in formal contexts.
Strokes9Radical旡Frequency#2523DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
The use of 既 reflects the Chinese value of clarity and directness in communication. In formal discussions or writings, this character helps establish clear temporal relationships and connections between ideas, mirroring the importance of context in Chinese culture.
Memory tip
Imagine a gate (门) that is already open (既) to symbolize that something has happened. The character 既 looks like a person stepping through a threshold, already having access to what lies beyond, emphasizing the notion of being 'already' in a state or condition.
Meanings of 既
jì(ji4)
1already
2since
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 既
既Simplified
9Strokes
旡Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#2523Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 既
Podcast: 既
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AI study notes for 既
Quick Contrast
既 (jì) vs 也 (yě) — use 既 when emphasizing an established condition, while 也 is used for adding information or indicating 'also'.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 既 with 了 (le), which also indicates completion but in a different context. It's important to use 既 in conjunction with time expressions to convey 'since' correctly, such as '既然' (since). Pay attention to the tone; it should be pronounced with a falling tone, jì.
HSK Study Tips
Although 既 is not explicitly included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for HSK 4 and above due to its frequency in complex sentences. Students should focus on recognizing it in reading and listening contexts, especially when it appears in conjunction with other words.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 既 in sentences where 了 would be more appropriate, such as saying '我既吃了' instead of '我吃了'. Remember, use 既 to indicate a state or condition, not just completion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 既
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The character 既 (jì) primarily means 'already' and is often used to indicate something that has occurred or been established. It can also convey the idea of 'since' in temporal contexts and is frequently paired with other words to express duality, such as 'both... and...'. Its usage is common in both spoken and written Chinese, particularly in formal contexts.
When to use 既
Learners often confuse 既 with 了 (le), which also indicates completion but in a different context. It's important to use 既 in conjunction with time expressions to convey 'since' correctly, such as '既然' (since). Pay attention to the tone; it should be pronounced with a falling tone, jì.
既 or something close to it
既 (jì) vs 也 (yě) — use 既 when emphasizing an established condition, while 也 is used for adding information or indicating 'also'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 既 in sentences where 了 would be more appropriate, such as saying '我既吃了' instead of '我吃了'. Remember, use 既 to indicate a state or condition, not just completion.
Write 既
既
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Grammar patterns of 既
既 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 4 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.
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Cultural Notes for 既
💡Did you know?
In Chinese, the word 既 is often used to connect two clauses and emphasize a relationship between them. It's common in expressions of duality, like '既...又...' (both... and...).
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of 'already' varies in languages. In English, 'already' often indicates time, while in Chinese, 既 can also imply a connection between two ideas, showcasing a richer grammatical structure.
Word Family of 既
Compounds12
概gàigeneral
慨kǎiold variant of 慨[kǎi]
厩jiùstable; barnyard
溉gàito irrigate
暨jìand; to reach, to attain; limits, confines
嘅kǎithe sound of a sigh
塈jì
穊jì
蔇jì
鱀jìChinese river dolphin
墍xì
摡gài
Words containing this character12
既然jìránsince
既jìalready
既是jìshìsince
既有jìyǒuexisting
一如既往yìrújìwǎngcontinuing as always
既定jìdìngset
既往jìwǎngpast
既得利益jìdélìyìvested interest
既往不咎jìwǎngbújiùThere is no point in crying over spilt milk.
既而jì’érlater
既成事实jìchéngshìshífait accompli既成事實
不咎既往bújiùjìwǎngoverlook sb's past mistakes
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 既
What does 概 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 既
既 (jì) and 已 (yǐ) both relate to the concept of something having occurred, but they are used in different contexts. 既 focuses more on the idea of 'already' in a broader sense, while 已 specifically emphasizes that an action has been completed. Understanding the nuances can help you use them more effectively in conversations.
Yes, 既 is commonly used in both written and colloquial Chinese. In everyday conversation, it can help express ideas succinctly and link multiple thoughts. Its versatility makes it a valuable word to know for both formal and informal contexts.
既 (jì) means 'already' or 'since' in Chinese. It is often used to indicate that something has occurred or a condition has been met. Additionally, it can also imply the conjunction 'both... and...' when linking two subjects or actions.
To use 既 in a sentence, you can place it before the verb or clause to indicate that something has already happened. For example, '我既吃过饭了' (Wǒ jì chī guò fàn le) means 'I have already eaten.' It can also link two clauses, like in '他既聪明又勤奋' (Tā jì cōngmíng yòu qínfèn), meaning 'He is both smart and hardworking.'
Yes, 既 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in written or formal language.
You can combine 既 with words like 既然 (since) or 既...又... (both... and...) to create more complex sentences.
No, they are not interchangeable; 既 specifically indicates 'already' or 'since', while 了 is used to indicate completed actions.
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