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March 24, 2026
璽xǐ(xi3)
The character 璽 (xǐ) refers to an imperial or royal signet, a seal used by emperors and high officials in ancient China to authenticate documents or express authority. This character is often associated with power and legitimacy, and its usage is primarily historical or formal, typically found in literature or discussions about imperial governance.
Strokes19Radical玉Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the imperial seal was a symbol of the emperor's rule and was considered sacred. The meticulous crafting of these seals often reflected the artistry of the time and was an essential part of official state documents.
Memory Tip
Imagine a majestic emperor using a beautiful jade seal (the radical 玉, meaning 'jade') that represents his power. The character 璽 looks like a square seal, and you can remember 'xǐ' by picturing the emperor saying 'see' as he stamps his royal seal on important documents.
Meanings of 璽
xǐ(xi3)
1imperial signet, royal signet
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About 璽
璽Simplified
19Strokes
玉Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 璽
Podcast: 璽
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AI Study Notes for 璽
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a majestic emperor using a beautiful jade seal (the radical 玉, meaning 'jade') that represents his power. The character 璽 looks like a square seal, and you can remember 'xǐ' by picturing the emperor saying 'see' as he stamps his royal seal on important documents.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 璽 with other words related to seals or stamps, such as 印 (yìn), which refers to a general stamp. 璽 is more formal and is seldom used in everyday conversation. Be cautious of the third tone; it may be mispronounced as the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
Since 璽 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it may be beneficial for learners at higher levels (HSK 5 and above) to explore this character in the context of historical texts or discussions about Chinese governance, enhancing their understanding of cultural heritage.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the imperial seal was a symbol of the emperor's rule and was considered sacred. The meticulous crafting of these seals often reflected the artistry of the time and was an essential part of official state documents.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 璽 with the more common seal character 印 (yìn). For instance, saying '我有一个璽' (I have a seal) instead of '我有一个印' (I have a stamp) is incorrect unless referring to a royal context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 璽
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Cultural Notes for 璽
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, the imperial seal was a symbol of the emperor's rule and was considered sacred. The meticulous crafting of these seals often reflected the artistry of the time and was an essential part of official state documents.
Word Family of 璽
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 璽
While 印 refers to a general stamp or seal used for various purposes, 璽 specifically denotes an imperial or royal signet, reserved for high authority.
It is primarily used in historical or literary contexts, so it may not be relevant in everyday modern conversation.
Common phrases are rare, but it may appear in discussions about historical documents or imperial authority.
