Meanings of 羁
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About 羁
Podcast: 羁
Podcast: 羁
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AI Study Notes for 羁
拘 (jū) — use 羁 (jī) when emphasizing the restraint of an animal, while 拘 (jū) is more appropriate for legal or formal detention contexts.
Learners often confuse 羁 with similar words related to restraint, such as 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), which have different nuances. This term is more commonly used in literary and formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone when using it, as it can carry a more serious connotation.
Although 羁 is not part of the standard HSK curriculum, it may appear in advanced texts or literature. Students should focus on understanding the concept of restraint in both physical and metaphorical contexts, and how it connects to other HSK vocabulary related to control and limitation.
Learners often mistakenly use 羁 interchangeably with 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), ignoring the specific context of physical restraint. For example, saying '我被羁在家里' (Wǒ bèi jī zài jiālǐ - 'I was restrained at home') is incorrect; it should be '我被拘在家里' (Wǒ bèi jū zài jiālǐ).
Pronunciation of 羁
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Etymology of 羁
A leather 革 halter used to control 罒a horse 马
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 羁
- 1The giveawayA leather 革 halter used to control 罒a horse 马
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 羁? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 羁
Identify the Components
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How to say halter; to restrain, to hold, to control in Chinese
“halter; to restrain, to hold, to control” in Chinese is羁
The character 羁 (jī) primarily means 'halter' or 'bridle,' referring to the equipment used to control an animal, especially horses. It is also used in a more abstract sense to convey the idea of restraint or control, often in contexts where someone or something is being held back or detained. This word can be used in both literal and figurative situations, such as emotional or physical restraint.
When to use 羁
Learners often confuse 羁 with similar words related to restraint, such as 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), which have different nuances. This term is more commonly used in literary and formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone when using it, as it can carry a more serious connotation.
羁 or something close to it
拘 (jū) — use 羁 (jī) when emphasizing the restraint of an animal, while 拘 (jū) is more appropriate for legal or formal detention contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 羁 interchangeably with 拘 (jū) or 禁 (jìn), ignoring the specific context of physical restraint. For example, saying '我被羁在家里' (Wǒ bèi jī zài jiālǐ - 'I was restrained at home') is incorrect; it should be '我被拘在家里' (Wǒ bèi jū zài jiālǐ).
Write 羁
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Practice writing 羁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 羁
羁 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
她已经被____押了一年。
She has already served a year on remand.
Example Sentences for 羁 (2)
Reorder the Sentence
She has already served a year on remand.
Word Family of 羁
Compound Meaning
What does 羁押 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 羁
While both terms relate to restraint, 羁 specifically refers to physical restraint, like a halter, whereas 拘 implies legal or situational detention.
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