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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
By ear
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About 袭
袭Simplified
襲Traditional
11Strokes
龙Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6569Frequency Rank
Podcast: 袭
Podcast: 袭
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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
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How Well Do You Know 袭?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 袭 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.
袭 = 龙 + 衣. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 袭
IDS Structure⿱龙衣
袭Full Character
=
龙Long2
top
衣yi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part 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
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Practice writing 袭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
