HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 止, rank #40191, Very Hard
歧
qí
side road
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 止, rank #40191, Very Hard
歧
qí
to diverge, to fork; a branch; a side road
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 止, rank #40191, Very Hard
qí(qi2)qi T2
1divergent
2side road
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March 24, 2026
歧qí(qi2)
The character 歧 (qí) refers to something that diverges or forks, often used to describe roads or paths that split into different directions. It can also imply a choice or a branching point in discussions or decisions, highlighting the idea of divergence. In some contexts, it can carry a metaphorical sense of differing opinions or paths in life.
Strokes8Radical止Frequency#40191DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of diverging paths is often linked to the idea of life choices and destiny, reflecting the importance of making decisions that can lead to vastly different outcomes. This is often depicted in literature and philosophy, emphasizing the weight of choices.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing at a fork in the road, with one path leading to a 'key' (the sound of qí) and the other leading to a 'quirky' destination. The character 歧 looks like a person (the vertical line) standing at this fork, deciding which way to go. The divergence of paths represents the meaning of 'to diverge' or 'side road'.
Meanings of 歧
qí(qi2)
1divergent
2side road
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 歧 means.
About 歧
歧Simplified
8Strokes
止Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#40191Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 歧
Podcast: 歧
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AI Study Notes for 歧
Quick Contrast
岔 (chà) - use 歧 when emphasizing the metaphorical aspect of divergence in choices or opinions, while 岔 is more commonly used for physical paths or roads.
Usage Notes
It's important to use 歧 in contexts where paths or opinions genuinely diverge, rather than in situations where there is a simple choice. The character is more formal and may not be used in everyday casual conversation. Be cautious with the tone; ensure the first tone is pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
While 歧 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your grasp of more complex phrases and idioms. Students should connect it with words related to choices or paths, like 路 (lù, road) and 分 (fēn, to divide). This will aid in contextualizing its use.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 歧 with similar-sounding words like 齐 (qí), which means 'together' or 'neat'. For instance, saying '我走在齐路上' (I am walking on a neat road) instead of '我走在歧路上' (I am walking on a divergent path) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 歧
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How Well Do You Know 歧?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 歧 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.
歧 = 止 + 支. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 歧
IDS Structure⿰止支
歧Full Character
=
止zhi3
left
支Zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 歧?
How to say divergent in Chinese
“divergent” in Chinese is歧qí
The character 歧 (qí) refers to something that diverges or forks, often used to describe roads or paths that split into different directions. It can also imply a choice or a branching point in discussions or decisions, highlighting the idea of divergence. In some contexts, it can carry a metaphorical sense of differing opinions or paths in life.
When to use 歧
It's important to use 歧 in contexts where paths or opinions genuinely diverge, rather than in situations where there is a simple choice. The character is more formal and may not be used in everyday casual conversation. Be cautious with the tone; ensure the first tone is pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
歧 or something close to it
岔 (chà) - use 歧 when emphasizing the metaphorical aspect of divergence in choices or opinions, while 岔 is more commonly used for physical paths or roads.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 歧 with similar-sounding words like 齐 (qí), which means 'together' or 'neat'. For instance, saying '我走在齐路上' (I am walking on a neat road) instead of '我走在歧路上' (I am walking on a divergent path) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 歧
歧
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Practice writing 歧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 歧
歧 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
三方将在下个月会面，以解决余下的分____。
The three parties will meet next month to work out remaining differences.
Disputes and differences between the two neighbours would be solved bilaterally.
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Word Family of 歧
Words Containing This Character10
歧视qíshìdiscrimination歧視
分歧fēnqídivergent
种族歧视racism種族歧視
歧途fork in a road
误入歧途to go astray誤入歧途
歧qídivergent
歧义ambiguity歧義
歧路to diverge from the main road, also figuratively
歧见disagreement歧見
歧异difference歧異
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 歧
What does 歧视 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 歧
You can use 歧 to describe a situation where decisions lead to different outcomes, like '在这个问题上我们有不同的看法，真是一个歧路。' (On this issue, we have different opinions; it really is a fork in the road.)
While it may not be commonly used in casual conversations, it's more prevalent in literary or formal contexts.
While both can imply division, 歧 specifically refers to divergence or branching paths, whereas 分 generally means to divide or separate.
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