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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 脂
脂Simplified
10Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8404Frequency Rank
Podcast: 脂
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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Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 旨 represents the sound.
1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
2The sound half旨 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayflesh
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 脂? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 脂?
Decomposition of 脂
IDS Structure⿰⺼旨
脂Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
旨zhi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component 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
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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
Complete the Sentence
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)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
不断有人提醒我们要减少脂肪的摄入量。
bù duàn yǒu rén tí xǐng wǒ mén yào jiǎn shǎo zhī fáng de shè rù 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 tiáo yún tú zài nǐ liǎn jiá hóng rùn de dì fāng。
Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
