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)ji 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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 鸡 means.
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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Learning Lab
Knowing 鸡 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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".
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.
