Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
记 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
记jìto recordHSK 3, n, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
记jìto noteHSK 3, n, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
记jìto rememberHSK 3, n, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
记jìmarkHSK 3, n, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
记jìsignHSK 3, n, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
记jìclassifier for blows, kicks, shotsHSK 3, n, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
记jìto memorizeHSK 3, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #725, Medium
jì(ji4) T4
  1. 1to record
  2. 2to note
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

记(記)jì(ji4)

The character 记 (jì) primarily means 'to record' or 'to remember'. It is commonly used in contexts related to taking notes, making records, or memorizing information. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for certain actions, like blows or kicks, emphasizing the act of marking or noting something significant.

Strokes5Radical讠Frequency#725DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

记 is often used in educational settings in China, where note-taking is highly valued. Students are encouraged to 记 notes during lectures to enhance their learning and retention.

Memory Tip

Imagine a teacher jotting down notes in a book to help students remember important lessons. The character 记 resembles a person (the top part) writing down something significant, while the bottom part suggests a book or record, linking the idea of recording to memory.

Meanings of 记

jì(ji4)
1to record
2to note
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 记

记Simplified
記Traditional
5Strokes
讠Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#725Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 记

JasonAmy

Podcast: 记

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 记

Quick Contrast

记 (jì, to record) vs 忘 (wàng, to forget) — use 记 when referring to retaining or noting information, whereas 忘 indicates the absence of memory.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 记 with 忘 (wàng), which means 'to forget'. Remember that 记 emphasizes retention or marking something down. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but when discussing formal records, it's best to use it in conjunction with other formal terms.

HSK Study Tips

Although 记 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is foundational for learners at HSK 2 and 3, as it connects to vocabulary about memory and note-taking. Students should focus on its use in phrases like 记得 (jìde, to remember) and 记录 (jìlù, to record).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 记 with 记住 (jì zhù), which means 'to remember' in a more permanent sense. For example, saying '我记他的名字' (wǒ jì tā de míngzì) is incorrect; use '我记住他的名字' instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 记

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 记 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 记

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 記. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 己 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A private 己 note 讠; 己 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 记

Simplified form of 記. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 己 represents the sound.

  1. 1The giveawayA private 己 note 讠; 己 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 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 记? 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 记?

Decomposition of 记

IDS Structure⿰讠己
记Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
己ji3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 记?

How to say to record in Chinese

“to record” in Chinese is记jì

The character 记 (jì) primarily means 'to record' or 'to remember'. It is commonly used in contexts related to taking notes, making records, or memorizing information. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for certain actions, like blows or kicks, emphasizing the act of marking or noting something significant.

When to use 记

A common mistake is confusing 记 with 忘 (wàng), which means 'to forget'. Remember that 记 emphasizes retention or marking something down. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but when discussing formal records, it's best to use it in conjunction with other formal terms.

记 or something close to it

记 (jì, to record) vs 忘 (wàng, to forget) — use 记 when referring to retaining or noting information, whereas 忘 indicates the absence of memory.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 记 with 记住 (jì zhù), which means 'to remember' in a more permanent sense. For example, saying '我记他的名字' (wǒ jì tā de míngzì) is incorrect; use '我记住他的名字' instead.

Write 记

记

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 记

记 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 7 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你怎么老忘____带钥匙?

Why do you always forget to bring your keys?

Common Confusions with 记

记vs剂
jì

Same pinyin but different meaning.

记vs纪
jì

Similar pronunciation and shape, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to record"?

or

Example Sentences for 记 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
nto record10
1
请记住,幸福不在于你是谁或者你拥有什么,而仅仅取决于你的心态!

qǐng jì zhù, , xìng fú bù zài yú nǐ shì shuí huò zhě nǐ yōng yǒu shí, mó , ér jǐn jǐn qǔ jué yú nǐ de!

Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think.--Dale Carnegie
2
早晨开始禁食前,记下你的体重。

zǎo chén kāi shǐ jīn shí qián, , jì xià nǐ de tǐ。

On the morning before starting the fast, write down your starting weight.
3
你只是在背诵自己死记硬背下来的东西。

nǐ zhī shì zài bèi sòng zì jǐ sǐ jì yìng bèi xià lái de dōng xī。

You are merely reciting facts that you have learned by rote.
4
你应该记住它,更重要的是,应该正确理解它。

nǐ yīng gāi jì zhù tā, , gēng zhòng yào de, shì , yīng gāi zhèng què lǐ。

You should remember it, and what's more, you should get it right.
5
这首歌令人感怀不已,我已牢牢记住。

zhè shǒu gē líng rén gǎn huái bù yǐ, , wǒ yǐ láo láo jì。

It just lodged in my mind as a very sentimental song.
6
这是我记忆中最可怕的一晚。

zhè shì wǒ jì yì zhōng zuì kě pà de yī wǎn。

This is the most awful evening I can ever remember.
7
这是她记录的档案中最严重的案例之一。

zhè shì tā jì lù de dàng àn zhōng zuì yán zhòng de àn lì zhī yī。

It is one of the most desperate cases on her files.
8
比赛开始的时候形势大好,斯皮德以一记精彩的进球先拔头筹。

bǐ sài kāi shǐ de shí hòu xíng shì dà hǎo, , sī pí dé yǐ yī jì jīng cǎi de jìn qiú xiān bá tóu。

It all started so promisingly when Speed scored a tremendous first goal.
9
他们拆掉户籍登记处后,那里留下了一片空地。

tā mén chāi diào hù jí dēng jì chǔ hòu, , nà lǐ liú xià le yī piàn kōng。

They'd pulled the registry office down which then left an open space.
10
一架带有丹麦标记的飞机从他的船上空飞过。

yī jià dài yǒu dān mài biāo jì de fēi jī cóng tā de chuán shàng kōng fēi guò。

A plane with Danish markings was over-flying his vessel.
nto note6
11
请把重要的事情记在本子上。

Qǐng bǎ zhòngyào de shìqíng jì zài běnzi shàng.

Please note the important things in your notebook.
12
我每天都会记下需要做的事情。

Wǒ měitiān dūhuì jì xià xūyào zuò de shìqíng.

I note down the things I need to do every day.
13
老师让我们记下课堂笔记。

Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen jì xià kètáng bǐjì.

The teacher told us to note down the class notes.
14
请把重要的事情记在本子上。

Qǐng bǎ zhòngyào de shìqíng jì zài běnzi shàng.

Please note the important things in your notebook.
15
我每天都会记下需要做的事情。

Wǒ měitiān dūhuì jì xià xūyào zuò de shìqíng.

I note down the things I need to do every day.
16
老师让我们记下课堂笔记。

Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen jì xià kètáng bǐjì.

The teacher told us to note down the class notes.

Cultural Notes for 记

💡Did you know?

在中国,记笔记是一种重要的学习习惯。许多学生会在课堂上认真记录老师的讲解,以帮助他们更好地记住知识。

Word Family of 记

Words Containing This Character20
记者jìzhěreporter記者
记得jìdeto remember記得
记jìto record記
记录jìlùto record記錄
忘记wàngjìto forget忘記
记住jìzhuto remember記住
记忆jìyìto remember記憶
登记dēngjìto register (one's name)登記
书记shūjìclerk書記
笔记本bǐjìběnnotebook (stationery)筆記本
日记rìjìdiary日記
标记biāojìsign標記
记载jìzǎito write down記載
笔记bǐjìnotes筆記
副书记deputy secretary副書記
总书记general secretary (of the Communist Party)總書記
记号jìhaomark記號
印记imprint印記
铭记míngjìto engrave in one's memory銘記
记忆力faculty of memory記憶力
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 记者 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 记

Some common phrases with 记 include '记住' (jì zhù), which means 'to remember' and '记得' (jìdé) meaning 'to recall.' These phrases are useful for expressing memory in various contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 记?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.