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脂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
脂zhīfatn, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8404, Very Hard
脂zhīrouge (cosmetics)n, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8404, Very Hard
脂zhīresinn, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8404, Very Hard
脂zhīfat, grease, lard, oiln, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8404, Very Hard
zhī(zhi1)zhi T1
  1. 1fat
  2. 2rouge (cosmetics)
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March 24, 2026

脂zhī(zhi1)

The character 脂 (zhī) primarily refers to fat or grease, often used in culinary contexts to describe oils and fats in cooking. It can also denote cosmetic products like rouge, emphasizing its association with richness or smoothness. In a broader sense, it may relate to substances with a viscous or oily texture.

Strokes10Radical⺼Frequency#8404DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, the quality of fat in meats is highly valued, influencing dishes like braised pork belly, where the balance of fat and meat is crucial. This appreciation for fat is also reflected in traditional Chinese medicine, which views it as essential for energy.

Memory tip

Imagine a chef (representing 脂) pouring thick, greasy fat from a large pot, making a mess. The character has the radical for 'flesh' (肉), hinting at its connection to fat, while the sound 'zhī' can be remembered by thinking of a chef saying 'Gooey!' as they handle the fat.

Meanings of 脂

zhī(zhi1)
1fat
2rouge (cosmetics)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 脂

脂Simplified
10Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8404Frequency Rank

Podcast: 脂

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Podcast: 脂

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AI study notes for 脂

Quick Contrast

脂 (fat) vs 油 (oil) — use 脂 when referring to animal fat or a richer texture, while 油 typically refers to cooking oils or liquid fats.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 脂 with similar words for oil or fat, such as 油 (yóu). It is essential to note that 脂 has a more specific connotation related to rich, animal-derived fats. This word is more common in formal contexts, particularly in cooking or cosmetics, and should be used accordingly.

HSK Study Tips

Although 脂 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to food-related terms like 油 (oil) and 肉 (meat) at HSK Level 2 and 3. Students focusing on culinary vocabulary should practice using it in sentences related to cooking or skincare.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 脂 with 油 (yóu), thinking they are interchangeable. A common mistake is saying '我喜欢油' (I like oil) when discussing cosmetics, instead of '我喜欢脂' (I like rouge).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 脂

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Etymology of 脂

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

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

Memory hint

flesh

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

Origin

脂 = ⺼ + 旨. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 脂

IDS Structure⿰⺼旨
脂Full character
=
⺼rou4
left
旨zhi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 脂?

How to say fat in Chinese

“fat” in Chinese is脂zhī

The character 脂 (zhī) primarily refers to fat or grease, often used in culinary contexts to describe oils and fats in cooking. It can also denote cosmetic products like rouge, emphasizing its association with richness or smoothness. In a broader sense, it may relate to substances with a viscous or oily texture.

When to use 脂

Learners often confuse 脂 with similar words for oil or fat, such as 油 (yóu). It is essential to note that 脂 has a more specific connotation related to rich, animal-derived fats. This word is more common in formal contexts, particularly in cooking or cosmetics, and should be used accordingly.

脂 or something close to it

脂 (fat) vs 油 (oil) — use 脂 when referring to animal fat or a richer texture, while 油 typically refers to cooking oils or liquid fats.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 脂 with 油 (yóu), thinking they are interchangeable. A common mistake is saying '我喜欢油' (I like oil) when discussing cosmetics, instead of '我喜欢脂' (I like rouge).

Write 脂

脂

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

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Grammar patterns of 脂

脂 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 4 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

不断有人提醒我们要减少____肪的摄入量。

We are constantly being reminded to cut down our fat intake.

Example sentences for 脂 (10)

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1
不断有人提醒我们要减少脂肪的摄入量。

búduàn yǒurén tíxǐng wǒmen yào jiǎnshǎo zhīfáng de shèrù liáng。

We are constantly being reminded to cut down our fat intake.
2
将胭脂调匀涂在你脸颊红润的地方。

jiāng yān zhī diào yún tú zài nǐ liǎnjiá hóngrùn de dìfang。

Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
3
看看你究竟摄入了多少脂肪和胆固醇。

kàn kàn nǐ jiūjìng shèrù le duōshao zhīfáng hé dǎn gù chún。

See just how much fat and cholesterol you're eating.
4
我们都知道油脂变质后会发臭。

wǒmen dōu zhīdào yóu zhī biànzhì hòu huì fā chòu。

We all know that fats spoil by becoming rancid.
5
营养学家说我们所摄入的卡路里中只应有33%来自脂肪。

yíngyǎng xué jiā shuō wǒmen suǒ shèrù de kǎ lù lǐ zhōng zhī yìng yǒu33% láizì zhīfáng。

Nutritionists say only 33% of our calorie intake should be from fat.
6
脱脂乳制品能提供身体所需的营养,而不含过多的热量。

tuō zhī rǔzhìpǐn néng tígōng shēntǐ suǒ xū de yíngyǎng, ér bù hán guò duō de rèliàng。

Non-fat dairy products supply the needed nutrients without excessive calories.
7
黄油、人造黄油和多脂鱼都含有丰富的维生素D。

huáng yóu、 rénzào huáng yóu hé duō zhī yú dōu hányǒu fēngfù de wéishēngsùD。

Butter, margarine, and oily fish are all good sources of vitamin D.
8
人体主要是由骨骼、肌肉和脂肪构成。

réntǐ zhǔyào shì yóu gǔgé、 jīròu hé zhīfáng gòuchéng。

The body is made up primarily of bone, muscle, and fat.
9
我们的骨髓中含有小球状的脂肪。

wǒmen de gǔ suǐ zhōng hányǒu xiǎo qiú zhuàng de zhīfáng。

Our bone marrow contains fat in the form of small globules.
10
她回来时,两边面颊上涂有一点淡淡的胭脂.

tā huílái shí, liǎngbian miàn jiá shàng tú yǒu yīdiǎn dàn dàn de yān zhī.

She returned wearing a dab of rouge on each cheekbone.

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Word Family of 脂

Words containing this character20
脂肪zhīfángfat (in the body, in a plant, or in food)
脂zhīfat
油脂yóuzhīgrease
树脂shùzhīresin樹脂
脱脂tuōzhīto remove fat脫脂
脂肪酸zhīfángsuānfatty acid
血脂xuèzhīblood lipid
胭脂yānzhīrouge
磷脂línzhīphospholipid
脂蛋白zhīdànbáilipoprotein
琼脂qióngzhīagar瓊脂
脂肪肝zhīfánggānfatty liver
不饱和脂肪酸bùbǎohézhīfángsuānunsaturated fatty acid不飽和脂肪酸
低脂dīzhīlow fat
脂粉zhīfěncosmetics
卵磷脂luǎnlínzhīlecithin (phospholipid found in egg yolk)
脂质体zhīzhìtǐliposome (bilayer lipid vesicle)脂質體
皮脂腺pízhīxiànskin oil gland
环氧树脂huányǎngshùzhīepoxy resin (chemistry)環氧樹脂
硬脂酸yìngzhīsuānstearic acid
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 脂

What does 脂肪 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 脂

Dishes like 红烧肉 (braised pork) and various stir-fries often incorporate fatty cuts of meat, highlighting the use of 脂.

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