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March 24, 2026
汲jí(Ji2)
The character 汲 (jí) primarily means 'to draw water from a well.' It can also imply the act of absorbing or imbibing something, such as knowledge or experience. This character is often used in contexts related to water sources or the act of gathering resources.
Strokes6Radical氵Frequency#26921DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, wells were essential for community sustenance, making the act of drawing water a vital daily task. This character reflects the importance of water in Chinese agrarian society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a well (represented by the water radical 水) and the action of drawing water (汲) with a bucket. Picture someone named Ji enthusiastically drawing water to quench their thirst for knowledge, connecting the character to both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 汲
jí(Ji2)
1to draw water at a well; to imbibe
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 汲
汲Simplified
6Strokes
氵Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 汲
Podcast: 汲
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AI Study Notes for 汲
Quick Contrast
汲 (jí) vs 取 (qǔ) — use 汲 when emphasizing drawing water or absorbing knowledge, while 取 is more general for taking or fetching.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a well (represented by the water radical 水) and the action of drawing water (汲) with a bucket. Picture someone named Ji enthusiastically drawing water to quench their thirst for knowledge, connecting the character to both its meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
汲 is typically used in more literary or formal contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include '汲取' (to draw or absorb), which is often used in the context of learning. Be cautious with the pronunciation; the third tone can be confused with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
汲 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, but it connects with other water-related words like 水 (water) and 渴 (thirst). Focus on understanding its use in compound phrases to enhance your vocabulary related to natural resources.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, wells were essential for community sustenance, making the act of drawing water a vital daily task. This character reflects the importance of water in Chinese agrarian society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 汲 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using '急' (jí, urgent) in place of 汲 can lead to misunderstandings. Always check the context to ensure the correct character is used.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 汲
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Grammar Patterns of 汲
汲 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 2 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.
zài nà yàng de yīn yǐng zhī xià fù nǚ hé ér tóng zěn mó gǎn lái jí shuǐ ne?
How can the women and the children draw water!
4
某甲在自己的土地上打井汲取某乙土地下的地下水.
mǒu jiǎ zài zì jǐ de tǔ dì shàng dǎ jǐng jí qǔ mǒu yǐ tǔ dì xià de dì xià shuǐ.
A sinks a well on his land to abstract underground water beneath B's land.
5
地上水一般是由人们从井里汲上来.
dì shàng shuǐ yī bān shì yóu rén mén cóng jǐng lǐ jí shàng lái.
Ground water is usually removed by man through wells.
6
他们不得不汲干那口井里的水.
tā mén bù dé bù jí gān nà kǒu jǐng lǐ de shuǐ.
They had to exhaust the water of the well.
Cultural Notes for 汲
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, wells were essential for community sustenance, making the act of drawing water a vital daily task. This character reflects the importance of water in Chinese agrarian society.
Word Family of 汲
Words Containing This Character4
汲取to draw
汲jísurname Ji
汲水to draw water
汲引to draw water
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 汲取 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 汲
汲 is pronounced as 'jí' in the second tone, which rises slightly.
汲 is more commonly found in literary contexts; everyday conversation might use simpler terms for drawing water.
A common compound is '汲取' (jíqǔ), which means to absorb or draw upon knowledge.
