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March 24, 2026
襲xí(xi2)
The character 襲 (xí) primarily means 'to attack' or 'to raid' and can also refer to 'to inherit' in certain contexts. It is often used to describe a sudden assault or a strategic attack, as well as the act of passing down traditions or possessions.
Strokes22Radical衣Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
襲 is used in historical contexts to describe military raids, which were common in ancient Chinese warfare. The concept of inheritance is also significant in Chinese culture, emphasizing familial duties and the passing down of lineage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'sneaky' figure (the left radical 衣 symbolizes clothing, suggesting stealth) attacking from behind while wearing a cloak. The sound 'xí' can be remembered as 'sheep' quietly sneaking up to surprise its target.
Meanings of 襲
xí(xi2)
1to attack, to raid; to inherit
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 襲
襲Simplified
22Strokes
衣Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 襲
Podcast: 襲
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AI Study Notes for 襲
Quick Contrast
袭 (xí) vs 攻 (gōng) — use 襲 for sudden or stealthy attacks, while 攻 denotes a more direct or aggressive assault.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sneaky' figure (the left radical 衣 symbolizes clothing, suggesting stealth) attacking from behind while wearing a cloak. The sound 'xí' can be remembered as 'sheep' quietly sneaking up to surprise its target.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 襲 with similar-sounding words. It is more formal and often used in literary or historical contexts, so it may not be suitable for everyday conversation. Common collocations include '襲擊' (xíjī, to attack) and '襲來' (xílái, to come upon).
HSK Study Tips
While 襲 is not included in the HSK lists, it may appear in advanced texts. Students should connect this word to related vocabulary about conflict and inheritance, such as '攻擊' (gōngjī, to attack) and '繼承' (jìchéng, to inherit).
Cultural Note
襲 is used in historical contexts to describe military raids, which were common in ancient Chinese warfare. The concept of inheritance is also significant in Chinese culture, emphasizing familial duties and the passing down of lineage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 襲 with similar characters like 攻 (gōng, to attack) or 繼 (jì, to inherit), leading to misinterpretation. For example, using '襲' when discussing a planned attack instead of '攻擊' can sound awkward.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 襲
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Cultural Notes for 襲
🏮Cultural insight
襲 is used in historical contexts to describe military raids, which were common in ancient Chinese warfare. The concept of inheritance is also significant in Chinese culture, emphasizing familial duties and the passing down of lineage.
Word Family of 襲
Words Containing This Character17
袭击xíjīraid襲擊
袭xíto attack襲
突袭surprise attack突襲
空袭air raid空襲
偷袭to raid偷襲
抄袭chāoxíto copy抄襲
侵袭to invade侵襲
来袭to invade來襲
沿袭to carry on as before沿襲
袭击者attacker襲擊者
世袭shìxísuccession世襲
奇袭raid奇襲
奔袭long-range raid奔襲
承袭to inherit承襲
夜袭night attack夜襲
因袭to follow old patterns因襲
进袭raid進襲
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 袭击 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 襲
Common phrases include '襲擊' (xíjī, to attack) and '突襲' (túxí, a surprise attack).
It's mostly used in formal or literary contexts, so it might sound out of place in casual conversations.
Think of 'sheep' sneaking into a garden, which can help you recall the sound 'xí'.
