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肢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zhīlimbn, 8 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #21285, Hard
zhīlimbsn, 8 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #21285, Hard
zhī(zhi1) T1
  1. 1limb
  2. 2limbs
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
zhī(zhi1)

The character 肢 (zhī) refers to a limb, such as an arm or leg, and is often used in medical or anatomical contexts. It can denote both singular and plural forms of limbs, and is commonly encountered when discussing physical movements, health, or biology.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#21285DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, understanding the concept of limbs is crucial as they relate to Qi flow and overall health. The term 肢 is often used in discussions about acupuncture and physical wellness.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tree with many branches (limbs) stretching out. The left side of the character 肢 resembles a branch, while the right side suggests the idea of a body part. Visualize a tree reaching out with its limbs to connect with the world.

Meanings of 肢

zhī(zhi1)
1limb
2limbs
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 肢

Simplified
8Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#21285Frequency Rank

Podcast: 肢

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 肢

Quick Contrast

肢 (limb) vs 四肢 (four limbs) — use 肢 when referring to a single limb or in a more general context, while 四肢 specifically refers to all four limbs.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tree with many branches (limbs) stretching out. The left side of the character 肢 resembles a branch, while the right side suggests the idea of a body part. Visualize a tree reaching out with its limbs to connect with the world.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 肢 with other similar words like 手 (shǒu, hand) or 腿 (tuǐ, leg). This character is more formal and specific; in everyday language, you might use 手 or 足 (zú, foot) instead. Ensure to use the correct tone; it is pronounced with a high, level tone (zhī).

HSK Study Tips

Although 肢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK level 3 terms related to body parts like 手 (shǒu) and 足 (zú). Focus on recognizing its usage in medical texts or discussions about anatomy, which can enhance vocabulary related to health.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, understanding the concept of limbs is crucial as they relate to Qi flow and overall health. The term 肢 is often used in discussions about acupuncture and physical wellness.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 肢 with similar characters like 四肢 (sìzhī, limbs, all four limbs) and use it incorrectly in informal contexts. For example, saying '我有两个肢' (Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè zhī) is incorrect; instead, say '我有两个手和两个腿' (Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè shǒu hé liǎng gè tuǐ).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 肢

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Etymology of 肢

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

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 支 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

flesh

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 肢?

Decomposition of 肢

IDS Structure⿰⺼支
Full Character
=
rou4
left
Zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 肢?

Write 肢

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

Grammar Patterns of 肢

肢 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我努力保持蜷曲的姿势以免四____受伤。

I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.

Example Sentences for 肢 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我努力保持蜷曲的姿势以免四肢受伤。

wǒ nǔ lì bǎo chí quán qū de zī shì yǐ miǎn sì zhī shòu shāng。

I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.
2
我在胳肢他,他哈哈哈、咯咯咯地笑个不停。

wǒ zài gē zhī tā, , tā hā hā、 hā 、 kǎ kǎ kǎ dì xiào gè。

I was tickling him, and he was laughing and giggling.
3
好一会儿她四肢都动弹不得。

hǎo yī huì ér tā sì zhī dū dòng dàn bù dé。

For a while, she lost the use of her limbs.
4
小孩子说话时喜欢用上热烈、表达喜爱的肢体触碰。

xiǎo hái zǐ shuō huà shí xǐ huān yòng shàng rè liè、 、 biǎo dá xǐ ài de zhī tǐ chù。

The children are very tactile with warm, loving natures.
5
罗兰多趴着睡着了,四肢摊开,打着呼噜。

luó lán duō pā zháo shuì zháo le, , sì zhī tān, kāi , dǎ zháo。

Rolando lay sprawled on his stomach, snoring.
6
她四肢摊开躺在床上。

tā sì zhī tān kāi tǎng zài chuáng shàng。

She lay on the bed, her arms and legs splayed out.
7
他四肢伸开正懒散地靠在扶手椅上看电视。

tā sì zhī shēn kāi zhèng lǎn sàn dì kào zài fú shǒu yǐ shàng kàn diàn shì。

He was lying sprawled in an armchair, watching TV.
8
第十一节有一对分节的附肢, 即尾须.

dì shí yī jié yǒu yī duì fēn jié de fù zhī, , jí wěi.

The 11 th segment carries a pair of segmented appendages, the cerci.
9
他个儿很高,四肢很长.

tā gè ér hěn gāo, , sì zhī hěn.

He was very tall with long limbs.
10
那只猫伸展四肢躺在炉边睡得很满足.

nà zhī māo shēn zhǎn sì zhī tǎng zài lú biān shuì dé hěn mǎn zú.

The cat lay stretched out beside the fire in sleepy content.

Cultural Notes for 肢

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese medicine, understanding the concept of limbs is crucial as they relate to Qi flow and overall health. The term 肢 is often used in discussions about acupuncture and physical wellness.

Word Family of 肢

Words Containing This Character15
肢体zhītǐlimb肢體
四肢sìzhīthe four limbs of the body
下肢lower limbs
zhīlimb
肢解to dismember
截肢to amputate
假肢prosthetic
上肢upper limb
胳肢(dialect) to tickle
胳肢窝armpit胳肢窩
腰肢waist
后肢hind legs後肢
前肢forelimb
义肢prosthesis義肢
节肢动物arthropod節肢動物
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 肢体 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 肢

In English, 'limbs' can refer generally to arms and legs, while 肢 specifically denotes these body parts in a more formal or anatomical sense.