Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
玺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
玺xǐimperial signet, royal signetng, 10 strokes, radical 玉, rank #18694, Very Hard
玺xǐruler's sealunknown, 10 strokes, radical 玉, rank #18694, Very Hard
xǐ(xi3) T3
  1. 1imperial signet, royal signet
  2. 2ruler's seal
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

玺(璽)xǐ(xi3)

The character 玺 (xǐ) refers to an imperial or royal signet, which is a seal used by rulers to authenticate documents and signify authority. It is often associated with historical contexts where such seals were essential for governance, ceremonies, and declarations of power.

Strokes10Radical玉Frequency#18694DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the imperial seal was a symbol of the emperor's authority and was often elaborately crafted, reflecting the power and legitimacy of the ruler. The act of sealing documents was steeped in tradition and reverence.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand emperor sealing an important document with a shiny seal made of precious jade. The character 玺 combines the component 玥, which suggests something precious, with the idea of authority, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 玺

xǐ(xi3)
1imperial signet, royal signet
2ruler's seal
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 玺

玺Simplified
璽Traditional
10Strokes
玉Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 玺

JasonAmy

Podcast: 玺

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 玺

Usage Notes

While 玺 is a formal term, it is rarely used in everyday conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters like 印 (yìn), which means 'stamp' or 'print.' Ensure to use 玺 in contexts that discuss historical or ceremonial significance.

HSK Study Tips

Although 玺 is not part of the HSK curriculum, its connection to 重要 (zhòngyào, 'important') and 权力 (quánlì, 'power') can be useful for learners focusing on political vocabulary. Focus on recognizing the character and its historical connotations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 玺 when they mean to say 印. For example, saying '我需要一个玺来盖这个文件' (I need a signet to stamp this document) is incorrect; the correct term is 印.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 玺

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 玺 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 玺

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 玉 represents the meaning and 尔 represents the sound. Simplified form of 璽.

Memory Hint

jade

Semantic (meaning)玉
+
Phonetic (sound)尔
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 玺

Phonosemantic compound. 玉 represents the meaning and 尔 represents the sound. Simplified form of 璽.

  1. 1The meaning half玉 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half尔 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayjade
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 玺? 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 玺?

Decomposition of 玺

IDS Structure⿱尔玉
玺Full Character
=
尔er3
top
玉yu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 玺?

How to say imperial signet, royal signet in Chinese

“imperial signet, royal signet” in Chinese is玺xǐ

The character 玺 (xǐ) refers to an imperial or royal signet, which is a seal used by rulers to authenticate documents and signify authority. It is often associated with historical contexts where such seals were essential for governance, ceremonies, and declarations of power.

When to use 玺

While 玺 is a formal term, it is rarely used in everyday conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters like 印 (yìn), which means 'stamp' or 'print.' Ensure to use 玺 in contexts that discuss historical or ceremonial significance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 玺 when they mean to say 印. For example, saying '我需要一个玺来盖这个文件' (I need a signet to stamp this document) is incorrect; the correct term is 印.

Write 玺

玺

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 玺

Words Containing This Character3
玺xǐruler's seal璽
国玺seal of state國璽
印玺official seal印璽
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 玺 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 玺

Yes, but it is primarily found in historical or literary contexts rather than in everyday language.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 玺?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.