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March 24, 2026
滞(滯)zhì(zhi4)
The character 滞 (zhì) primarily conveys the idea of being sluggish or obstructed. It can refer to both physical blockages and metaphorical stagnation, such as in processes or emotions. Common contexts include describing slow-moving traffic or a lack of progress in a project.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#40096DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
滞 is often associated with the concept of stagnation in Chinese society, especially in discussions about economic growth or personal development. The idea of being stagnant can carry a negative connotation, reflecting the cultural emphasis on progress and achievement.
Memory Tip
Imagine a thick, muddy river (the water radical 水) that is so slow (the character's meaning) that it creates a blockage (the character's form) in your path. You can visualize trying to walk through this sluggish water and getting stuck, reminding you of the pronunciation 'zhì' like 'drip'—something that moves slowly.
Meanings of 滞
zhì(zhi4)
1sluggish
2to block, to obstruct; sluggish, stagnant
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 滞
滞Simplified
滯Traditional
12Strokes
氵Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#40096Frequency Rank
Podcast: 滞
Podcast: 滞
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AI Study Notes for 滞
Quick Contrast
滞 (zhì) vs 拖 (tuō) — use 滞 for describing sluggishness or obstruction, while 拖 emphasizes delay or dragging.
Usage Notes
While 滞 is used in both formal and informal contexts, it's often found in written Chinese, particularly in news articles or reports discussing issues. Common collocations include 滞留 (zhìliú, to be stranded) and 滞后 (zhìhòu, to lag behind). Be aware that using 滞 in casual conversation might feel overly formal.
HSK Study Tips
Although 滞 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK Level 4 words like 阻塞 (zǔsè, to obstruct) and 迟缓 (chíhuǎn, sluggish). Students should focus on the nuances of blockage and stagnation when learning this character, as it enhances understanding of related concepts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 滞 with similar-sounding words like 迟 (chí, late) due to their overlapping meanings. For example, saying '交通迟' (jiāotōng chí) instead of '交通滞' (jiāotōng zhì) to describe slow traffic is incorrect; '滞' is the proper term for sluggishness in this context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 滞
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Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 带 represents the sound. Simplified form of 滯.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half带 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 滞? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 滞?
Decomposition of 滞
IDS Structure⿰氵带
滞Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
带dai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 滞?
How to say sluggish in Chinese
“sluggish” in Chinese is滞zhì
The character 滞 (zhì) primarily conveys the idea of being sluggish or obstructed. It can refer to both physical blockages and metaphorical stagnation, such as in processes or emotions. Common contexts include describing slow-moving traffic or a lack of progress in a project.
When to use 滞
While 滞 is used in both formal and informal contexts, it's often found in written Chinese, particularly in news articles or reports discussing issues. Common collocations include 滞留 (zhìliú, to be stranded) and 滞后 (zhìhòu, to lag behind). Be aware that using 滞 in casual conversation might feel overly formal.
滞 or something close to it
滞 (zhì) vs 拖 (tuō) — use 滞 for describing sluggishness or obstruction, while 拖 emphasizes delay or dragging.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 滞 with similar-sounding words like 迟 (chí, late) due to their overlapping meanings. For example, saying '交通迟' (jiāotōng chí) instead of '交通滞' (jiāotōng zhì) to describe slow traffic is incorrect; '滞' is the proper term for sluggishness in this context.
Write 滞
滞
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Practice writing 滞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 滞
滞 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 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.
