HSK 3, n, 7 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #1024, Medium
鸡
jī
chicken
HSK 3, n, 7 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #1024, Medium
鸡
jī
(slang) prostitute
HSK 3, n, 7 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #1024, Medium
jī(ji1) T1
1fowl
2chicken
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March 24, 2026
鸡(雞)jī(ji1)
The character 鸡 (jī) primarily means 'chicken' or 'fowl' and is commonly used in culinary contexts, particularly when discussing various chicken dishes in Chinese cuisine. Additionally, it can have a slang connotation referring to 'prostitute,' which should be used with caution due to its informal and potentially offensive nature.
Strokes7Radical鸟Frequency#1024DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, chicken is a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes and is often associated with celebrations, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity, particularly during festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chicken (鸡) cackling 'jī' as it struts around the farm. The character has a distinctive shape resembling a bird with a beak, which can help you remember its meaning as a fowl.
Meanings of 鸡
jī(ji1)
1fowl
2chicken
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鸡
鸡Simplified
雞Traditional
7Strokes
鸟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1024Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 鸡
Podcast: 鸡
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AI Study Notes for 鸡
Quick Contrast
鸭 (yā) - use 鸡 when specifically referring to chicken, while 鸭 refers to duck.
Usage Notes
When using 鸡 in a culinary context, it is often paired with other words (e.g., 炒鸡 - stir-fried chicken). Be careful with the slang meaning, as it is informal and may not be appropriate in all situations. Always use the correct tone (first tone) to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
As a character not included in the HSK levels, 鸡 may still appear in everyday conversation. Focus on its common usages and collocations, especially in food-related contexts, to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鸡 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 记 (jì, to remember) due to tonal errors. Remember to keep the correct tone to accurately convey the meaning of 'chicken'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鸡
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Simplified form of 雞. Originally was a pictograph of a chicken. Later changed to a phonosemantic compound of 奚 and 隹 (bird). The traditional 隹 (bird) component was replaced with 鸟, a different character for "bird".
Simplified form of 雞. Originally was a pictograph of a chicken. Later changed to a phonosemantic compound of 奚 and 隹 (bird). The traditional 隹 (bird) component was replaced with 鸟, a different character for "bird".
1The giveawayAnother 又 kind of bird 鸟
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鸡? 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 鸡?
Decomposition of 鸡
IDS Structure⿰又鸟
鸡Full Character
=
又you4
left
鸟diao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 鸡?
How to say fowl in Chinese
“fowl” in Chinese is鸡jī
The character 鸡 (jī) primarily means 'chicken' or 'fowl' and is commonly used in culinary contexts, particularly when discussing various chicken dishes in Chinese cuisine. Additionally, it can have a slang connotation referring to 'prostitute,' which should be used with caution due to its informal and potentially offensive nature.
When to use 鸡
When using 鸡 in a culinary context, it is often paired with other words (e.g., 炒鸡 - stir-fried chicken). Be careful with the slang meaning, as it is informal and may not be appropriate in all situations. Always use the correct tone (first tone) to avoid confusion with other words.
鸡 or something close to it
鸭 (yā) - use 鸡 when specifically referring to chicken, while 鸭 refers to duck.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鸡 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 记 (jì, to remember) due to tonal errors. Remember to keep the correct tone to accurately convey the meaning of 'chicken'.
Write 鸡
鸡
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Practice writing 鸡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 鸡
鸡 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 3 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.
