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March 24, 2026
皙xī(xi1)
The character 皙 (xī) primarily means 'white' and can refer to a pale or bright complexion. It can also denote a type of date fruit, highlighting its use in specific culinary contexts. This character is often used in literary or poetic language to describe beauty and purity.
Strokes13Radical白Frequency#37561DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, a fair complexion is often associated with beauty and status, making the character 皙 particularly relevant in discussions of aesthetics. The word is sometimes used in literature to evoke an image of pristine beauty.
Memory Tip
Think of 皙 (xī) as a 'white' character. The left part resembles a woman's face (the radical for 'woman' 女), symbolizing beauty, while the right part looks like a shiny surface (the radical for 'white' 白). Imagine a beautiful woman with a radiant white complexion, and you can remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 皙
xī(xi1)
1white; a kind of date
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 皙
皙Simplified
13Strokes
白Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 皙
Podcast: 皙
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AI Study Notes for 皙
Quick Contrast
白 (bái) - use 皙 (xī) for a nuanced, literary description of a pale complexion, while 白 (bái) is more common and straightforward.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 皙 (xī) as a 'white' character. The left part resembles a woman's face (the radical for 'woman' 女), symbolizing beauty, while the right part looks like a shiny surface (the radical for 'white' 白). Imagine a beautiful woman with a radiant white complexion, and you can remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
皙 is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like 喜 (xǐ), which means 'to be happy.' It is often used in phrases like 皙丽 (xī lì) to describe a lovely complexion.
HSK Study Tips
皙 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects well with words related to beauty and color at lower levels. Focus on understanding its usage in poetic contexts, and try to use it when describing people or things with a bright appearance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, a fair complexion is often associated with beauty and status, making the character 皙 particularly relevant in discussions of aesthetics. The word is sometimes used in literature to evoke an image of pristine beauty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 皙 with other characters that sound similar, such as 厚 (hòu, meaning thick). For example, using 皙 to describe something thick instead of its correct usage can lead to confusion. Always remember that 皙 refers to brightness or paleness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 皙
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Grammar Patterns of 皙
皙 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他为那乌黑的头发和白____的面庞所倾倒。
He's hypnotized by that black hair and that white face.
Example Sentences for 皙 (4)
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1
他为那乌黑的头发和白皙的面庞所倾倒。
tā wéi nà wū hēi de tóu fā hé bái xī de miàn páng suǒ qīng dǎo。
He's hypnotized by that black hair and that white face.
2
她细腻光滑、美丽白皙的脖子上戴着一条精致的链子。
tā xì nì guāng huá、 、 měi lì bái xī de bó zǐ shàng dài zháo yī tiáo jīng zhì de liàn。
How do you say blond little cushioned knuckles in French?
4
黑色的包头巾使她的皮肤显得更加白皙.
hēi sè de bāo tóu jīn shǐ tā de pí fū xiǎn dé gēng jiā bái xī.
The black wimple enhanced the whiteness of her skin.
Cultural Notes for 皙
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, a fair complexion is often associated with beauty and status, making the character 皙 particularly relevant in discussions of aesthetics. The word is sometimes used in literature to evoke an image of pristine beauty.
Word Family of 皙
Words Containing This Character4
清晰qīngxīclear
明晰clear
清晰度definition
晰xīclear
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 清晰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 皙
No, 皙 is mainly found in literary contexts and isn't typically used in everyday conversation.
It refers to a specific type of date fruit, highlighting its use in culinary contexts.
You can remember it by associating it with 'white' and imagining a beautiful woman with a bright complexion.
