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质 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
质zhìcharacterHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìnatureHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìqualityHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìplainHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìto pawnHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìpledgeHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìhostageHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìto questionHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìTaiwan pr. [zhí]HSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìessence, nature; material, substanceHSK 5, ng, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
质zhìTaiwan pr. [zhi2]HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 厂, rank #5638, Hard
zhì(zhi4) T4
  1. 1character
  2. 2nature
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
质(質)zhì(zhi4)

The character 质 (zhì) primarily means 'quality' or 'nature.' It is often used in contexts relating to the characteristics or inherent properties of objects or people, such as in discussions about the quality of goods or someone's character. It can also refer to the material or essence of something, highlighting its foundational attributes.

Strokes8Radical厂Frequency#5638DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of quality (质) extends beyond material goods to the moral character of individuals. The emphasis on one's inner quality is deeply ingrained in Confucian values, highlighting integrity and virtue.

Memory Tip

Think of 质 (zhì) as representing the 'essence' of something. Imagine a 'quality' check where you inspect the 'material' of an object. The left part resembles the concept of 'substance,' while the right part can be visualized as a person questioning the quality of the object in front of them.

Meanings of 质

zhì(zhi4)
1character
2nature
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 质

质Simplified
質Traditional
8Strokes
厂Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#5638Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5

Podcast: 质

JasonAmy

Podcast: 质

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 质

Quick Contrast

品质 (pǐnzhì) vs 质量 (zhìliàng): Choose 质 when referring to the inherent nature or characteristics of something, while 品质 emphasizes the quality or grade of an item. 质量 focuses on the measurable aspects or standards of quality.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 质 (zhì) as representing the 'essence' of something. Imagine a 'quality' check where you inspect the 'material' of an object. The left part resembles the concept of 'substance,' while the right part can be visualized as a person questioning the quality of the object in front of them.

Usage Notes

When using 质, be mindful of its context, as it can imply both positive and negative qualities. A common mistake is to confuse it with the similar-sounding 只 (zhǐ), which means 'only.' In formal contexts, it’s often used in phrases like '品质' (pǐnzhì) meaning 'quality,' while in informal speech it may appear in various expressions.

HSK Study Tips

For learners at HSK level 4 and above, understanding 质 is essential as it connects to other vocabulary related to quality and assessment, such as '品质' (pǐnzhì) and '物质' (wùzhì). Focus on its usage in phrases to strengthen comprehension.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of quality (质) extends beyond material goods to the moral character of individuals. The emphasis on one's inner quality is deeply ingrained in Confucian values, highlighting integrity and virtue.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 质 (zhì) with 只 (zhǐ), leading to incorrect phrases like '我只这个产品的质量' instead of '我觉得这个产品的质量很好.' Focus on the correct context of quality.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 质

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Etymology of 质

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 質. Origin unclear. The traditional component 斤 was removed for simplification.

Memory Hint

shell

Semantic (meaning)贝
+
Phonetic (sound)十
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 质?

Decomposition of 质

IDS Structure⿸厂⿱十贝
质Full Character
=
厂chang3
enclosing
十shi2
top
贝Bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 质?

Write 质

质

Practice writing 质 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 质

质 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 11 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

贵就贵吧，____量好就行。

Expensive? So be it, as long as the quality is good.

Common Confusions with 质

质vs值
zhí

Similar shape and sound, but different meanings

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "character"?

or

Example Sentences for 质 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我觉得她不但长得非常漂亮，而且还有很多优秀品质。

wǒ jué dé tā bù dàn cháng dé fēi cháng piāo liàng， ， ér qiě huán yǒu hěn duō yōu xiù pǐn。

I think she has many good qualities besides being very beautiful.
2
索米尔周围的白垩质土壤出产著名的安茹葡萄酒。

suǒ mǐ ěr zhōu wéi de bái è zhì tǔ rǎng chū chǎn zhù míng de ān rú pú táo jiǔ。

The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.
3
现有的住房几乎少有质量过关的。

xiàn yǒu de zhù fáng jī hū shǎo yǒu zhì liáng guò guān de。

Little of the existing housing is of good enough quality.
4
“对此你期望我怎么办？”她质问道。

“ “ duì cǐ nǐ qī wàng wǒ zěn mó？” bàn ？” tā zhì。

"What did you expect me to do about it?" she demanded.
5
你头发的发质与健康状况都应改善。

nǐ tóu fā de fā zhì yǔ jiàn kāng zhuàng kuàng dū yīng gǎi shàn。

Both the texture and condition of your hair should improve.
6
现今的有机葡萄酒生产商一般是注重品质的小型家族企业.

xiàn jīn de yǒu jī pú táo jiǔ shēng chǎn shāng yī bān shì zhù zhòng pǐn zhì de xiǎo xíng jiā zú qǐ yè.

Today's organic wine producer is typically a small, quality-conscious family concern.
7
一些最高档的酒杯是用铅晶质玻璃制成的。

yī xiē zuì gāo dàng de jiǔ bēi shì yòng qiān jīng zhì bō lí zhì chéng de。

Some of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal.
8
硝酸盐是水和土壤中自然存在的化学物质。

xiāo suān yán shì shuǐ hé tǔ rǎng zhōng zì rán cún zài de huà xué wù zhì。

Nitrates are chemicals that occur naturally in water and the soil.
9
一旦杂质沉淀下去，油就可以分级了。

yī dàn zá zhì chén diàn xià qù， ， yóu jiù kě yǐ fēn jí。

Once its impurities had settled, the oil could be graded.
10
总体看来,这所大学评估教育质量的方法寥寥无几.

zǒng tǐ kàn lái, , zhè suǒ dà xué píng gū jiào yù zhì liáng de fāng fǎ liáo liáo wú.

The college has few ways to assess the quality of education overall.

Cultural Notes for 质

💡Did you know?

In Chinese philosophy, the concept of 质 is crucial in discussions about the nature of reality and the qualities that define existence. It often appears in literature discussing virtues and moral qualities.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of quality (质) extends beyond material goods to the moral character of individuals. The emphasis on one's inner quality is deeply ingrained in Confucian values, highlighting integrity and virtue.

Word Family of 质

Compounds1
踬zhi4to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated
Words Containing This Character20
质量zhìliàngquality質量
物质wùzhìmatter物質
人质rénzhìhostage人質
质zhìnature質
质疑zhìyíto call into question質疑
素质sùzhìinner quality素質
品质pǐnzhìcharacter品質
本质běnzhìessence本質
性质xìngzhìnature性質
气质qìzhìtemperament氣質
优质yōuzhìexcellent quality優質
蛋白质dànbáizhìprotein蛋白質
特质tèzhìcharacteristic特質
实质shízhìsubstance實質
神经质nervous神經質
地质dìzhìgeology地質
潜质potential潛質
质问zhìwènto question質問
变质biànzhìto degenerate變質
资质aptitude資質
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 踬 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 质

质 (zhì) has multiple meanings including 'quality,' 'nature,' and 'character.' It can also refer to 'to pawn' or 'pledge,' indicating its usage in financial contexts. Understanding these meanings can help in grasping the nuances of the word.