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March 24, 2026
词(䛐)cí(ci2)
The character 词 (cí) refers to a word, statement, or speech in Mandarin. It is often used in contexts related to language, such as poetry, lyrics, and expressions. In classical literature, 词 can also refer specifically to a type of poem, showcasing its deep cultural significance.
Strokes7Radical讠Frequency#929DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 词 is significant not only in everyday language but also in traditional poetry, reflecting the importance of literary expression. The form of 词 can be seen in various cultural performances that emphasize lyrical beauty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'word' (词) as a 'sizzle' of sound that brings speech to life. The character itself has a 'mouth' radical (口) on the left, symbolizing speech and communication, while the right side could remind you of a 'sword' (刀), signifying the power of words to cut through silence.
Meanings of 词
cí(ci2)
1word
2statement
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 词
词Simplified
䛐Traditional
7Strokes
讠Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#929Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 词
Podcast: 词
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AI Study Notes for 词
Quick Contrast
词 (cí) vs 语 (yǔ): Use 词 for individual words or phrases, while 语 refers to language or speech in a broader sense.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 词 (cí) with similar-sounding words or using it inappropriately in formal contexts. It is often used in compound phrases like 词语 (cíyǔ, vocabulary) or 歌词 (gēcí, lyrics). Pay attention to tone; mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Though 词 is not a standard HSK level word, it connects well with vocabulary related to language and communication. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and literary contexts, as well as its role in classical poetry.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 词 in phrases, such as saying '我喜欢的词是' (wǒ xǐhuān de cí shì) instead of '我喜欢的单词是' (wǒ xǐhuān de dāncí shì) when referring to a single word. Additionally, mixing it up with similar terms like 词汇 (cíhuì, vocabulary) can create confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 词
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Drill the tone of 词 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 司 represents the sound. Simplified form of 詞.
1The meaning half讠 carries the sense.
2The sound half司 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywords
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 词? 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 词?
Decomposition of 词
IDS Structure⿰讠司
词Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
司Si1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 词?
How to say word in Chinese
“word” in Chinese is词cí
The character 词 (cí) refers to a word, statement, or speech in Mandarin. It is often used in contexts related to language, such as poetry, lyrics, and expressions. In classical literature, 词 can also refer specifically to a type of poem, showcasing its deep cultural significance.
When to use 词
Common mistakes include confusing 词 (cí) with similar-sounding words or using it inappropriately in formal contexts. It is often used in compound phrases like 词语 (cíyǔ, vocabulary) or 歌词 (gēcí, lyrics). Pay attention to tone; mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with other words.
词 or something close to it
词 (cí) vs 语 (yǔ): Use 词 for individual words or phrases, while 语 refers to language or speech in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 词 in phrases, such as saying '我喜欢的词是' (wǒ xǐhuān de cí shì) instead of '我喜欢的单词是' (wǒ xǐhuān de dāncí shì) when referring to a single word. Additionally, mixing it up with similar terms like 词汇 (cíhuì, vocabulary) can create confusion.
Write 词
词
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Practice writing 词 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 词
词 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 8 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.
Ancient poetry often uses different words to express emotions.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
What does this word mean?
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 词
💡Did you know?
在古代中国，词通常指的是一种用韵律和节奏构成的诗歌形式，与今天的歌词类似。
Word Family of 词
Words Containing This Character20
词cíword詞
台词dialogue臺詞
歌词gēcísong lyric歌詞
证词testimony證詞
单词word單詞
关键词keyword關鍵詞
词汇cíhuìvocabulary詞彙
词语cíyǔexpression詞語
名词noun名詞
动词verb動詞
词典cídiǎnalso written 辭典|辞典[cídiǎn]詞典
诗词verse詩詞
代名词pronoun代名詞
形容词adjective形容詞
供词confession供詞
致词to make a speech致詞
题词inscription題詞
誓词oath誓詞
陈词滥调cliché陳詞濫調
词句words and sentences詞句
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 词 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 词
词 (cí) and 詞 (cí) refer to the same concept but differ in their writing. 词 is the simplified form used in modern Chinese, while 詞 is the traditional form. The meanings remain the same, but their usage can vary depending on the context and region.
You should use 词 (cí) in simplified Chinese contexts, which are more common in mainland China. If you are writing or reading traditional Chinese, like in Taiwan or Hong Kong, you would use 詞. The choice depends on the audience and the writing system you are using.
词 (cí) means 'word' or 'term' in Chinese. It can refer to statements, speech, or even lyrics in songs. Additionally, it is an old variant of the character 詞, which has similar meanings.
To use 词 (cí) in a sentence, you can say something like '这首歌的词很美' (Zhè shǒu gē de cí hěn měi), which means 'The lyrics of this song are beautiful.' It is often used in contexts related to poetry, songs, or any form of verbal expression.
单词 (dāncí) refers specifically to a single word, while 词 (cí) can refer to phrases, expressions, and also encompasses poetic forms.
Yes, 词 is commonly used when discussing language, poetry, or music, making it relevant in both formal and informal contexts.
No, 词 is used in both written and spoken Chinese, especially in discussions about literature or lyrics.
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