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桎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
桎zhìshackles, fetters, handcuffsn, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #71628, Very Hard
zhì(zhi4)zhi T4
  1. 1shackles, fetters, handcuffs
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March 24, 2026

桎zhì(zhi4)

The character 桎 (zhì) refers to shackles or fetters, typically used to describe restraints that bind a person's limbs. It conveys a sense of confinement or restriction, often in a physical or metaphorical context, such as being trapped by circumstances or limitations.

Strokes10Radical木Frequency#71628DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese history, shackles were often used as punishment during imperial times, reflecting the severity of law and order. The character evokes images of a past where physical restraint was commonplace in governance.

Memory tip

Imagine a ‘z’ shaped pair of handcuffs that binds your wrists together. The ‘zh’ in ‘zhì’ sounds like ‘shackles’—picture yourself in chains, where ‘zh’ represents the clanking sound they make as you move.

Meanings of 桎

zhì(zhi4)
1shackles, fetters, handcuffs
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 桎

桎Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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AI study notes for 桎

Usage Notes

This term is more formal and literary, often used in historical or legal contexts. A common mistake is to confuse 桎 with more general terms for restraints, like 手铐 (shǒukào) for handcuffs, which has a more everyday usage. Be mindful of the context in which you use it.

HSK Study Tips

Although 桎 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your comprehension of historical texts and literature. Focus on recognizing its meaning in context, especially in discussions about justice or imprisonment.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 桎 with related terms like 手铐 (shǒukào), which specifically means handcuffs, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我有桎' (Wǒ yǒu zhì) when meaning 'I have handcuffs' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我有手铐' (Wǒ yǒu shǒukào).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 桎

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Etymology of 桎

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

wood

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

Origin

桎 = 木 + 至. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 桎

IDS Structure⿰木至
桎Full character
=
木Mu4
left
至zhi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 桎?

How to say shackles, fetters, handcuffs in Chinese

“shackles, fetters, handcuffs” in Chinese is桎zhì

The character 桎 (zhì) refers to shackles or fetters, typically used to describe restraints that bind a person's limbs. It conveys a sense of confinement or restriction, often in a physical or metaphorical context, such as being trapped by circumstances or limitations.

When to use 桎

This term is more formal and literary, often used in historical or legal contexts. A common mistake is to confuse 桎 with more general terms for restraints, like 手铐 (shǒukào) for handcuffs, which has a more everyday usage. Be mindful of the context in which you use it.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 桎 with related terms like 手铐 (shǒukào), which specifically means handcuffs, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我有桎' (Wǒ yǒu zhì) when meaning 'I have handcuffs' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我有手铐' (Wǒ yǒu shǒukào).

Write 桎

桎

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

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Word Family of 桎

Words containing this character2
桎梏shackles
桎zhìfetters
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 桎

What does 桎梏 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 桎

Common synonyms include 束缚 (shùfù) which means to bind or restrain, and 拘束 (jūshù) which indicates being restricted.

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