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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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 滞 means.
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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How Well Do You Know 滞?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 滞 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.
滞 = 氵 + 带. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 滞
IDS Structure⿰氵带
滞Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
带dai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
