Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
禊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
a semi-annual ceremony of purificationg, 13 strokes, radical 礻, Very Hard
semi-annual ceremony of purificationunknown, 13 strokes, radical 礻, Very Hard
(xi4) T4
  1. 1a semi-annual ceremony of purification
  2. 2semi-annual ceremony of purification
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(xi4)

The character 禊 (xì) refers to a traditional Chinese ceremony of purification, typically held semi-annually. This ritual involves cleansing oneself, often in water, to ward off misfortune and promote spiritual renewal, especially related to nature and community.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The 禊 ceremony is historically linked to the ancient practice of honoring ancestors and deities through purification, showcasing the Chinese reverence for nature and spirituality. It often coincides with seasonal changes, reinforcing the connection between culture and the natural world.

Memory Tip

Think of 'xì' as a cleansing stream (the water component) flowing through a sacred site, washing away impurities. Picture a group of people gathering by the water, chanting and preparing for the ceremony, emphasizing its communal and spiritual significance.

Meanings of 禊

(xi4)
1a semi-annual ceremony of purification
2semi-annual ceremony of purification
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 禊

Simplified
13Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 禊

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 禊

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 'xì' as a cleansing stream (the water component) flowing through a sacred site, washing away impurities. Picture a group of people gathering by the water, chanting and preparing for the ceremony, emphasizing its communal and spiritual significance.

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with other purification-related terms. Common collocations include '禊 ceremony' and '水禊', which specifically refers to water purification.

HSK Study Tips

While 禊 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, its roots in Chinese culture can enhance your understanding of traditional practices. Focus on related words that pertain to rituals and purification like 洗 (xǐ - to wash), as they provide practical context for usage.

Cultural Note

The 禊 ceremony is historically linked to the ancient practice of honoring ancestors and deities through purification, showcasing the Chinese reverence for nature and spirituality. It often coincides with seasonal changes, reinforcing the connection between culture and the natural world.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 禊 with other purification-related terms such as 洗 (xǐ). For example, using '我去禊' (I go to purify) is incorrect; it should be '我去洗' (I go to wash) for everyday contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 禊

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 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 禊

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

spirit

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 禊?

Decomposition of 禊

IDS Structure⿰礻契
Full Character
=
shi4
left
qi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 禊?

Write 禊

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 禊

🏮Cultural insight

The 禊 ceremony is historically linked to the ancient practice of honoring ancestors and deities through purification, showcasing the Chinese reverence for nature and spirituality. It often coincides with seasonal changes, reinforcing the connection between culture and the natural world.

Word Family of 禊

Words Containing This Character1
semiannual ceremony of purification
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 禊 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 禊

It involves rituals of cleansing, often with water, aimed at purifying both body and spirit.