Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
膝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
膝
xī
knee
ng, 15 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8342, Very Hard
膝
xī
old variant of 膝[xī]
ng, 15 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8342, Very Hard
膝
xī
old variant of 膝[xi1]
unknown, 15 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #8342, Very Hard
xī(xi1)xi T1
1knee
2old variant of 膝[xī]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
膝(厀)xī(xi1)
The character 膝 (xī) means 'knee' and refers specifically to the joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg. It can be used in both medical and everyday contexts, often appearing in discussions about health, anatomy, or physical activities. This term is also an old variant of the character 膝, which is still used in modern Chinese.
Strokes15Radical⺼Frequency#8342DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, knees are often associated with the concept of 'wind' and 'cold', which can affect joint health. This cultural understanding emphasizes the importance of protecting the knees from exposure to cold weather.
Memory tip
Imagine your knee as a 'knee-saw' (xī sounds like 'see'), where you can visualize a saw cutting through the knee joint. The character 膝 is made of the radical 月 (yuè), which often relates to body parts, combined with the character for 'saw' to help you remember its meaning.
Meanings of 膝
xī(xi1)
1knee
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 膝 means.
About 膝
膝Simplified
厀Traditional
15Strokes
⺼Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#8342Frequency Rank
Podcast: 膝
Podcast: 膝
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 膝
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 膝 (knee) with similar-sounding words. It's important to use the correct tone, as xī has a high level tone that can be easily mispronounced. This word is typically used in both formal and informal registers, especially in medical contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 膝 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it can be helpful for learners at HSK 3-4 level who are expanding their medical or anatomical vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and practicing its pronunciation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 膝 with the character 习 (xí), which means 'to practice'. A common mistake is writing 膝 as 习, which changes the meaning entirely. It’s crucial to remember that 膝 (xī) has the 'knee' meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 膝
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 膝, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 膝 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 膝?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 膝 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
膝 = ⺼ + 桼. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 膝
IDS Structure⿰⺼桼
膝Full character
=
⺼rou4
left
桼qi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 膝?
How to say knee in Chinese
“knee” in Chinese is膝xī
The character 膝 (xī) means 'knee' and refers specifically to the joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg. It can be used in both medical and everyday contexts, often appearing in discussions about health, anatomy, or physical activities. This term is also an old variant of the character 膝, which is still used in modern Chinese.
When to use 膝
Common mistakes include confusing 膝 (knee) with similar-sounding words. It's important to use the correct tone, as xī has a high level tone that can be easily mispronounced. This word is typically used in both formal and informal registers, especially in medical contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 膝 with the character 习 (xí), which means 'to practice'. A common mistake is writing 膝 as 习, which changes the meaning entirely. It’s crucial to remember that 膝 (xī) has the 'knee' meaning.
Write 膝
膝
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 膝 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 膝
膝 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 3 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
淑女端坐时总是双手放在____上，不发一言。
A lady always sits quietly with her hands in her lap.
