Meanings of 居
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About 居
Podcast: 居
Podcast: 居
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AI Study Notes for 居
居 (jī) vs 住 (zhù) — use 居 when emphasizing the state of residing or living in a place, while 住 focuses more on the act of staying or dwelling.
Be cautious with the register when using 居; it is more commonly used in written contexts or formal speech about residence. Common collocations include 居住 (to reside) and 居所 (place of residence). Learners often confuse it with 住 (zhù), which also means 'to live' but is more general.
Although 居 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects with basic vocabulary about living and residence found in HSK 1 and 2. Focus on practicing its usage in sentences that describe where people live or stay to reinforce understanding.
Learners often confuse 居 with 住, leading to incorrect phrases like 居住学校 (reside school) instead of 住学校 (live at school). Remember that 居 specifically focuses on residence and place rather than general living.
Pronunciation of 居
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Jason Explains 居 to You
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Etymology of 居
Phonosemantic compound. 户 represents the meaning and 古 represents the sound.
door
Origin
居 = 户 + 古. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 居
Parts
Which of these is part of 居?
How to say (archaic) sentence-final particle expressing a doubting attitude in Chinese
“(archaic) sentence-final particle expressing a doubting attitude” in Chinese is居
The character 居 (jī) primarily means 'to reside' or 'to live', indicating a state of being in a particular place. It can also refer to a residence or house, and in some contexts, it serves as a classifier for bedrooms. Additionally, there are archaic uses where it functions as a sentence-final particle that conveys doubt or uncertainty.
When to use 居
Be cautious with the register when using 居; it is more commonly used in written contexts or formal speech about residence. Common collocations include 居住 (to reside) and 居所 (place of residence). Learners often confuse it with 住 (zhù), which also means 'to live' but is more general.
居 or something close to it
居 (jī) vs 住 (zhù) — use 居 when emphasizing the state of residing or living in a place, while 住 focuses more on the act of staying or dwelling.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 居 with 住, leading to incorrect phrases like 居住学校 (reside school) instead of 住学校 (live at school). Remember that 居 specifically focuses on residence and place rather than general living.
Write 居
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Practice writing 居 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 居
居 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
你百分之百肯定是你的邻____吗？
Are you a hundred per cent sure it's your neighbour?
Common Confusions with 居
Similar sound and shape but different meaning.
Which one
Which one means “(archaic) sentence-final particle expressing a doubting attitude”?
Example Sentences for 居 (18)
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Cultural Notes for 居
The character 居 is related to the concept of residence and can also be used in the context of restaurants. In Chinese culture, the place where one resides is often considered a reflection of their status and lifestyle.
Word Family of 居
Characters with 居
What does 剧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 居
居 (jū) can mean residence, to be in a position, or to stand still. In classical contexts, it also functions as a particle that conveys doubt at the end of a sentence. Understanding its various meanings is essential for grasping nuances in conversation.
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