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鷄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鷄jīchickenx, 21 strokes, radical 鳥
jī(ji1)ji T1
  1. 1chicken
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March 24, 2026

鷄jī(ji1)

The character 鷄 (jī) refers to a chicken, often used in culinary contexts or when discussing poultry. It is a variant form of the more commonly used character 雞 (jī), which also means chicken. This character might appear in traditional Chinese contexts or in literature.

Strokes21Radical鳥
Cultural note

Chicken holds significant cultural importance in Chinese cuisine, often served during celebrations like the Chinese New Year for its association with prosperity and good fortune. The character 鷄, while less common, reflects traditional writing practices.

Memory tip

Imagine a chicken (jī) with feathers shaped like the character 鷄. The top part resembles the head and comb of a chicken, while the bottom part can symbolize its body. Visualizing a chicken strutting around can help you remember both the form and sound.

Meanings of 鷄

jī(ji1)
1chicken
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鷄

鷄Simplified
21Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鷄

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Podcast: 鷄

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AI study notes for 鷄

Quick Contrast

雞 (jī) — use 鷄 (jī) for traditional contexts or specific literary references, while 雞 (jī) is the standard modern form.

Usage Notes

While 鷄 is correct, it is less frequently used than 雞 in modern Mandarin, so learners should stick to 雞 in everyday conversation. Be cautious with tones, as jī (雞) is in the first tone, and mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鷄 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, understanding it can enhance vocabulary related to food and animals, which are common themes in early learning. Focus on recognizing both this character and its more common variant 雞 to ensure comprehensive understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鷄 with similar characters or forget to use the correct tone. For example, saying ji instead of jī can change the meaning entirely. Ensure you practice the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鷄

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Jason Explains 鷄 to you

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Etymology of 鷄

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

bird

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

Origin

鷄 = 鳥 + 奚. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鷄

IDS Structure⿰奚鳥
鷄Full character
=
奚Xi1
left
鳥niao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鷄?

How to say chicken in Chinese

“chicken” in Chinese is鷄jī

The character 鷄 (jī) refers to a chicken, often used in culinary contexts or when discussing poultry. It is a variant form of the more commonly used character 雞 (jī), which also means chicken. This character might appear in traditional Chinese contexts or in literature.

When to use 鷄

While 鷄 is correct, it is less frequently used than 雞 in modern Mandarin, so learners should stick to 雞 in everyday conversation. Be cautious with tones, as jī (雞) is in the first tone, and mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.

鷄 or something close to it

雞 (jī) — use 鷄 (jī) for traditional contexts or specific literary references, while 雞 (jī) is the standard modern form.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鷄 with similar characters or forget to use the correct tone. For example, saying ji instead of jī can change the meaning entirely. Ensure you practice the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.

Write 鷄

鷄

Practice writing 鷄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 鷄

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In many Western cultures, chicken is simply a staple meat, while in Chinese culture, it often carries symbolic meanings related to luck and prosperity during festivals.

Word Family of 鷄

Words containing this character1
鷄jīfowl

Frequently asked questions about 鷄

鷄 is a variant character that means the same as 雞, but it is less commonly used in modern Mandarin.

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