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栀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
栀zhījasmine; Gardenian, 9 strokes, radical 木
栀zhīcape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木
栀zhīsame as 栀子unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木
zhī(zhi1)zhi T1
  1. 1jasmine; Gardenia
  2. 2cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
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March 24, 2026

栀(梔)zhī(zhi1)

The character 栀 (zhī) refers to a type of flowering plant known as gardenia, which is celebrated for its fragrant white flowers. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and symbolizes purity and sweetness in Chinese culture. Gardenias are often associated with love and romance, making them popular in bouquets and gifts.

Strokes9Radical木
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, gardenias (栀子) are often linked to expressions of love and are used in wedding decorations and gifts, symbolizing purity and sweetness. They are also found in many traditional Chinese medicinal practices.

Memory tip

Imagine a garden (the character's radical '木' means 'tree') filled with beautiful, fragrant white flowers. Picture a person named 'Zhi' looking for the perfect gardenia to express their love. The 'zhī' sound can be remembered by thinking of this character as a 'jasmine' friend in a garden.

Meanings of 栀

zhī(zhi1)
1jasmine; Gardenia
2cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 栀

栀Simplified
梔Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 栀

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Podcast: 栀

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AI study notes for 栀

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 栀 with similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about botany or traditional medicine. Common collocations include 栀子花 (zhīzi huā) for gardenia flowers.

HSK Study Tips

Although 栀 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other HSK Level 3 and 4 words related to plants and nature. Students should focus on recognizing its character components and understanding its cultural significance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 栀 with similar characters like 芝 (zhī), which means '芝麻' (sesame). An incorrect sentence might be '我喜欢芝子花' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhīzi huā - I like sesame flowers), instead of the correct '我喜欢栀子花'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 栀

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Etymology of 栀

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)卮
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

栀 = 木 + 卮. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 栀

IDS Structure⿰木卮
栀Full character
=
木Mu4
left
卮zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 栀?

How to say jasmine; Gardenia in Chinese

“jasmine; Gardenia” in Chinese is栀zhī

The character 栀 (zhī) refers to a type of flowering plant known as gardenia, which is celebrated for its fragrant white flowers. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and symbolizes purity and sweetness in Chinese culture. Gardenias are often associated with love and romance, making them popular in bouquets and gifts.

When to use 栀

Be careful not to confuse 栀 with similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about botany or traditional medicine. Common collocations include 栀子花 (zhīzi huā) for gardenia flowers.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 栀 with similar characters like 芝 (zhī), which means '芝麻' (sesame). An incorrect sentence might be '我喜欢芝子花' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhīzi huā - I like sesame flowers), instead of the correct '我喜欢栀子花'.

Write 栀

栀

Practice writing 栀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 栀

栀 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 3 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 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她喜欢的香水闻起来象____子花.

Her favorite essence smells like gardenias.

Example sentences for 栀 (2)

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1
她喜欢的香水闻起来象栀子花.

tā xǐhuan de xiāngshuǐ wén qǐlái xiàng zhī zi huā.

Her favorite essence smells like gardenias.
2
她喜欢的香水闻起来像栀子花.

tā xǐhuan de xiāngshuǐ wén qǐlái xiàng zhī zi huā.

Her favourite essence smells like gardenias.

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Word Family of 栀

Words containing this character3
栀子花cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)梔子花
栀子cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)梔子
栀zhīgardenia梔
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 栀

What does 栀子花 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 栀

It means gardenia, a fragrant flowering plant.

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