Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
荠(薺)jì(ji4)
The character 荠 (jì) refers to a type of aquatic plant commonly known as water chestnut or water caltrop. It is often used in Chinese cuisine for its crunchy texture and is associated with various health benefits. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to other vegetables.
Strokes9Radical艹Frequency#62402DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, water chestnuts are not only valued for their taste but are also believed to have health benefits, such as improving digestion. They frequently appear in traditional dishes during festivals and celebrations, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a water chestnut floating in a pond, resembling a small, chest-like treasure. The character 荠 has a radical for plants (艹) at the top, representing its nature as a vegetable, while the bottom part (耆) could remind you of an elder (耆) who knows the best ways to prepare these delicious aquatic treats.
Meanings of 荠
jì(ji4)
primary
1water chestnut; water caltrop
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 荠
荠Simplified
薺Traditional
9Strokes
艹Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 荠
Podcast: 荠
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 荠
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a water chestnut floating in a pond, resembling a small, chest-like treasure. The character 荠 has a radical for plants (艹) at the top, representing its nature as a vegetable, while the bottom part (耆) could remind you of an elder (耆) who knows the best ways to prepare these delicious aquatic treats.
Usage Notes
While 荠 is understood in culinary contexts, it might be confused with other similar vegetables. It is more often found in formal or written Chinese, particularly in recipes or discussions about regional cuisine. Be cautious with the tone; it uses the fourth tone (jì), which can be easily mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 荠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 words related to food and cooking. Students should focus on its usage in sentences about dishes or ingredients to enhance their vocabulary in culinary contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, water chestnuts are not only valued for their taste but are also believed to have health benefits, such as improving digestion. They frequently appear in traditional dishes during festivals and celebrations, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 荠 with similar characters like 薺 (jiā), which refers to a different plant. An incorrect usage might be saying '我喜欢吃薺' (I like to eat jiā), instead of '我喜欢吃荠'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 荠
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 荠 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 荠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 荠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, water chestnuts are not only valued for their taste but are also believed to have health benefits, such as improving digestion. They frequently appear in traditional dishes during festivals and celebrations, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Word Family of 荠
Words Containing This Character3
荠菜shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)薺菜
荠jìshepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)薺
荸荠Chinese water chestnut荸薺
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 荠菜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 荠
No, 荠 is more often found in written contexts, particularly in recipes or discussions about specific dishes.
It is pronounced with a fourth tone, jì.
荠 is commonly used in stir-fries, salads, and soups, especially in regional cuisines.
