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哲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
哲zhéphilosophyHSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
哲zhéwiseHSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
哲zhé(used in given names)HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
哲zhéwise, sagacious; wise man; philosopherHSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
zhé(zhe2) T2
  1. 1philosophy
  2. 2wise
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

哲zhé(zhe2)

The character 哲 (zhé) refers to wisdom and philosophy. It is often used to describe a person who is wise or sagacious, and it can also denote philosophical concepts. Common usage includes discussions about wisdom in life or the study of philosophy.

Strokes10Radical口Frequency#12820DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, and philosophers like Confucius are revered. The character 哲 often appears in names, symbolizing a wish for wisdom and insight in one's life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise old philosopher sitting under a tree, deep in thought. The character 哲 resembles a wise person (the top part) contemplating life (the bottom part). The pronunciation 'zhé' sounds like 'jerk,' but you want to remember a wise philosopher, not a jerk!

Meanings of 哲

zhé(zhe2)
1philosophy
2wise
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 哲

哲Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12820Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5

Podcast: 哲

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Podcast: 哲

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 哲

Quick Contrast

智 (zhì) refers specifically to intelligence or cleverness, while 哲 (zhé) emphasizes wisdom and philosophical insight.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 哲 (zhé) with other characters that sound similar but have different meanings. This character is more formal and is often found in literary or academic contexts. Common collocations include 哲学 (philosophy) and 明哲 (wise and insightful).

HSK Study Tips

Although 哲 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes in higher-level vocabulary related to philosophy and wisdom. Focus on understanding its usage in philosophical discussions to enhance comprehension of related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 哲 (zhé) with other characters like 哲理 (zhélǐ, meaning philosophical principle), leading to incorrect usage. Ensure you use 哲 specifically when referring to wisdom or philosophy.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 哲

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Etymology of 哲

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 折 represents the sound. Simplified form of 喆.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)折
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 哲

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 折 represents the sound. Simplified form of 喆.

  1. 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half折 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymouth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 哲? 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 哲?

Decomposition of 哲

IDS Structure⿱折口
哲Full Character
=
折she2
top
口kou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 哲?

How to say philosophy in Chinese

“philosophy” in Chinese is哲zhé

The character 哲 (zhé) refers to wisdom and philosophy. It is often used to describe a person who is wise or sagacious, and it can also denote philosophical concepts. Common usage includes discussions about wisdom in life or the study of philosophy.

When to use 哲

Be careful not to confuse 哲 (zhé) with other characters that sound similar but have different meanings. This character is more formal and is often found in literary or academic contexts. Common collocations include 哲学 (philosophy) and 明哲 (wise and insightful).

哲 or something close to it

智 (zhì) refers specifically to intelligence or cleverness, while 哲 (zhé) emphasizes wisdom and philosophical insight.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 哲 (zhé) with other characters like 哲理 (zhélǐ, meaning philosophical principle), leading to incorrect usage. Ensure you use 哲 specifically when referring to wisdom or philosophy.

Write 哲

哲

Practice writing 哲 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 哲

哲 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 4 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

____学家们并未怎么关注这一观点。

The idea has been given short shrift by philosophers.

Common Confusions with 哲

哲vs折
zhé

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

哲vs者
zhě

Similar pronunciation and shape but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "philosophy"?

or

Example Sentences for 哲 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
哲学家们并未怎么关注这一观点。

zhé xué jiā mén bìng wèi zěn mó guān zhù zhè yī guān diǎn。

The idea has been given short shrift by philosophers.
2
或然性和自由意志这两个哲学问题是紧密相关的。

huò rán xìng hé zì yóu yì zhì zhè liǎng gè zhé xué wèn tí shì jǐn mì xiāng guān de。

The philosophical problems of chance and of free will are closely related.
3
在中世纪, 哲学与神学是不分的.

zài zhōng shì jì, , zhé xué yǔ shén xué shì bù fēn.

In the Middle Ages, philosophy and theology were inextricable.
4
这位哲人是百代之师.

zhè wèi zhé rén shì bǎi dài zhī shī.

The sage is the instructor of a hundred ages.

Word Family of 哲

Words Containing This Character9
哲学zhéxuéphilosophy哲學
哲zhéwise
哲学家philosopher哲學家
哲理philosophy
哲人wise man
范思哲Versace (fashion designer)
明哲保身a wise man looks after his own hide (idiom)
麦哲伦Magellan (1480-1521), Portuguese explorer麥哲倫
李哲Li Zhe, personal name of fourth Tang Emperor Zhongzong 唐中宗[Táng​Zhōng​zōng] (656-710), reigned 705-710
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 哲学 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 哲

哲 means wisdom and is often associated with philosophy.

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