Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
袭(襲)xí(xi2)
The character 袭 (xí) primarily means 'to attack' or 'to raid,' often used in military contexts. It can also mean 'to inherit,' typically in relation to titles or responsibilities passed down through generations. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for specific types of clothing, particularly funeral robes, reflecting its cultural significance in Chinese customs.
Strokes11Radical龙Frequency#6569DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 袭 is significant in the context of ancestral rites and the passing down of family responsibilities, particularly during ceremonial occasions. The use of specific robes during funerals reflects respect and continuity within familial lines.
Memory Tip
Imagine a warrior sneaking up (袭) to attack, with a flowing robe (the radical 袖) that billows like a funeral garment. Picture the attacker's stealthy movement as a way of inheriting (xí) the tradition of bravery and honor.
Meanings of 袭
xí(xi2)
1to attack
2to inherit
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 袭
袭Simplified
襲Traditional
11Strokes
龙Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6569Frequency Rank
Podcast: 袭
Podcast: 袭
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 袭
Quick Contrast
袭 (xí) vs 攻 (gōng) — use 袭 when referring to a surprise attack or raid, whereas 攻 is more general for attacking or assaulting.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the context in which you use 袭, as it can imply aggression or a respectful inheritance. Common collocations include 袭击 (xíjī, to attack) and 继承 (jìchéng, to inherit). Mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
While 袭 is not included in the HSK levels, it shares components with other characters related to clothing and action, like 衣 (yī, clothing). Focus on the context of use, especially in military or formal discussions about inheritance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 袭 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usages such as '袭继' instead of '继承' for 'to inherit.' Be careful to use 袭 in contexts specifically related to attack or military action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 袭
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 袭 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 龙 represents the meaning and 衣 represents the sound. Simplified form of 襲.
1The meaning half龙 carries the sense.
2The sound half衣 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaydragon
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 袭? 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 袭?
Decomposition of 袭
IDS Structure⿱龙衣
袭Full Character
=
龙Long2
top
衣yi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 袭?
How to say to attack in Chinese
“to attack” in Chinese is袭xí
The character 袭 (xí) primarily means 'to attack' or 'to raid,' often used in military contexts. It can also mean 'to inherit,' typically in relation to titles or responsibilities passed down through generations. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for specific types of clothing, particularly funeral robes, reflecting its cultural significance in Chinese customs.
When to use 袭
Be cautious of the context in which you use 袭, as it can imply aggression or a respectful inheritance. Common collocations include 袭击 (xíjī, to attack) and 继承 (jìchéng, to inherit). Mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
袭 or something close to it
袭 (xí) vs 攻 (gōng) — use 袭 when referring to a surprise attack or raid, whereas 攻 is more general for attacking or assaulting.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 袭 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usages such as '袭继' instead of '继承' for 'to inherit.' Be careful to use 袭 in contexts specifically related to attack or military action.
Write 袭
袭
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 袭 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 袭
袭 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
