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March 24, 2026
趾zhǐ(zhi3)
The character 趾 (zhǐ) primarily refers to the 'toe' of the foot. It can also denote tracks or footprints, emphasizing the marks left by feet. This term is commonly used in anatomical or descriptive contexts.
Strokes11Radical足Frequency#13901DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the health of your toes (趾) is believed to reflect overall bodily health, linking foot care to wellness practices in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant toe (趾) standing tall on the ground, leaving a big footprint (足) behind. The character has the foot radical (足) which connects to its meaning, and you can remember its pronunciation 'zhǐ' by picturing a shoe size chart that measures each toe.
Meanings of 趾
zhǐ(zhi3)
1toe; tracks, footprints
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 趾
趾Simplified
11Strokes
足Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 趾
Podcast: 趾
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AI Study Notes for 趾
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 趾 with similar-sounding characters. It is more formal and anatomical than the general term for 'foot' (脚, jiǎo). Common collocations include '足趾' (zú zhǐ), meaning 'toe', emphasizing its anatomical context.
HSK Study Tips
Although 趾 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to body parts, like 手 (shǒu, hand) and 足 (zú, foot). Focus on recognizing it in medical or anatomical texts as you advance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 趾 with 脚 (jiǎo), which means 'foot'. For example, saying '我的趾痛' (wǒ de zhǐ tòng) is incorrect; it should be '我的脚痛' (wǒ de jiǎo tòng) for 'my foot hurts'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 趾
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Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 止 represents the sound.
1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
2The sound half止 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfoot
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 趾? 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 趾?
Decomposition of 趾
IDS Structure⿰足止
趾Full Character
=
足ju4
left
止zhi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 趾?
How to say toe; tracks, footprints in Chinese
“toe; tracks, footprints” in Chinese is趾zhǐ
The character 趾 (zhǐ) primarily refers to the 'toe' of the foot. It can also denote tracks or footprints, emphasizing the marks left by feet. This term is commonly used in anatomical or descriptive contexts.
When to use 趾
Be cautious not to confuse 趾 with similar-sounding characters. It is more formal and anatomical than the general term for 'foot' (脚, jiǎo). Common collocations include '足趾' (zú zhǐ), meaning 'toe', emphasizing its anatomical context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 趾 with 脚 (jiǎo), which means 'foot'. For example, saying '我的趾痛' (wǒ de zhǐ tòng) is incorrect; it should be '我的脚痛' (wǒ de jiǎo tòng) for 'my foot hurts'.
Write 趾
趾
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Practice writing 趾 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 趾
趾 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她意识到自己____高气扬的步伐已变成了拖着脚走路了。
She noticed her own proud walk had become a shuffle.
Example Sentences for 趾 (10)
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1
她意识到自己趾高气扬的步伐已变成了拖着脚走路了。
tā yì shí dào zì jǐ zhǐ gāo qì yáng de bù fá yǐ biàn chéng le tuō zháo jiǎo zǒu lù le。
She noticed her own proud walk had become a shuffle.
2
五大三粗的恶汉趾高气扬地走过来，居高临下地对我咆哮着。
wǔ dà sān cū de è hàn zhǐ gāo qì yáng dì zǒu guò lái， ， jū gāo lín xià dì duì wǒ páo xiào。
The burly brute swaggered forward, towering over me, and shouted.
