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March 24, 2026
戒jiè(jie4)
The character 戒 (jiè) encompasses the idea of guarding against negative behaviors or influences. It is commonly used in contexts of admonition, such as warnings against bad habits, and is also associated with Buddhist discipline, where it signifies the commitment to avoid certain actions. Additionally, it can refer to a ring, symbolizing commitment or protection.
Strokes7Radical戈Frequency#2713DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
戒 is significant in Buddhist culture, where it refers to the precepts that monks and laypeople observe to maintain moral conduct. These precepts are integral to spiritual development and reflect a deep-rooted aspect of Chinese religious practice.
Memory Tip
Imagine a guardian holding a ring (戒) that symbolizes protection against bad habits. The character 戒 looks like a 'guard' (the left side) and a 'ring' (the right side) — together they remind you to guard against temptation by wearing a protective ring.
Meanings of 戒
jiè(jie4)
1to guard against
2to exhort
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 戒
戒Simplified
7Strokes
戈Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2713Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 戒
Podcast: 戒
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AI Study Notes for 戒
Quick Contrast
戒 (jiè) vs 防 (fáng): Use 戒 when emphasizing the moral or disciplinary aspect of guarding against negative behaviors, while 防 focuses more on physical protection or prevention.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a guardian holding a ring (戒) that symbolizes protection against bad habits. The character 戒 looks like a 'guard' (the left side) and a 'ring' (the right side) — together they remind you to guard against temptation by wearing a protective ring.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 戒 (jiè) with other characters like 解除 (jiěchú, to relieve) due to similar sounds. It's important to use 戒 in contexts involving warnings or giving up bad habits, and be aware that it carries a serious tone, often used in formal discussions or teachings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 戒 connects to related terms like 忍戒 (rěnjiè, to endure) and 约定 (yuēdìng, agreement). Focus on its application in both moral and practical contexts, particularly in discussions around self-discipline and ethics.
Cultural Note
戒 is significant in Buddhist culture, where it refers to the precepts that monks and laypeople observe to maintain moral conduct. These precepts are integral to spiritual development and reflect a deep-rooted aspect of Chinese religious practice.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 戒 in casual contexts, like saying '我戒吃' (wǒ jiè chī, I quit eating), which should be '我戒吃肉' (wǒ jiè chī ròu, I quit eating meat) for clarity. Always specify what you are giving up when using 戒.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 戒
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Grammar Patterns of 戒
戒 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
我被告知要减肥并____烟。
I've been told to lose weight and stop smoking.
Common Confusions with 戒
戒vs界
jiè
Same pinyin but different meanings
戒vs解
jiě
Similar pronunciation and some visual resemblance
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to guard against"?
or
Usage Notes for 戒
Misuse in contextCommon Error
Students often confuse '戒' with '解' due to similar sounds, leading to incorrect usage.
1
他戒烟了。
He quit smoking.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他____烟了。
He quit smoking.
Example Sentences for 戒 (10)
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1
我被告知要减肥并戒烟。
wǒ bèi gào zhī yào jiǎn féi bìng jiè yān。
I've been told to lose weight and stop smoking.
2
催眠疗法可能有助于你戒烟。
cuī mián liáo fǎ kě néng yǒu zhù yú nǐ jiè yān。
Hypnotherapy can be useful in helping you give up smoking.
3
嗯，插一句，我那时正在努力戒烟。
ňg， ， chā yī， jù ， wǒ nà shí zhèng zài nǔ lì。
Well, parenthetically, I was trying to quit smoking at the time.
Wine is radioactive but few people stop drinking it on that account.
8
当你遇到他时，他谈论起自己时总是能让人放下戒心。
dāng nǐ yù dào tā shí， ， tā tán lùn qǐ zì jǐ shí zǒng shì néng ràng rén fàng xià jiè。
When you meet him, he is disarming as he talks about himself.
9
她已经戒了毒，并且认识到了生命可贵。
tā yǐ jīng jiè le dú， ， bìng qiě rèn shí dào le shēng mìng kě。
She's kicked her drug habit and learned that her life has value.
10
她戒了酒，但又开始执著于体重问题。
tā jiè le jiǔ， ， dàn yòu kāi shǐ zhí zhù yú tǐ zhòng wèn。
She stopped drinking but began obsessing about her weight.
Cultural Notes for 戒
🏮Cultural insight
戒 is significant in Buddhist culture, where it refers to the precepts that monks and laypeople observe to maintain moral conduct. These precepts are integral to spiritual development and reflect a deep-rooted aspect of Chinese religious practice.
Word Family of 戒
Compounds5
械xie4appliance
诫jie4commandment
駴
祴
誡jie4to warn, to admonish; warning
Words Containing This Character20
戒指jièzhi(finger) ring
戒jièto exhort
警戒to warn
戒毒to kick a drug habit
戒烟jièyānto give up smoking戒煙
戒备jièbèito take precautions戒備
戒酒to give up drinking
警戒线police cordon警戒線
钻戒diamond ring鑽戒
惩戒to discipline懲戒
戒严to impose martial law戒嚴
戒毒所drug rehabilitation center
戒律commandment
猪八戒Pigsy in Arthur Waley's translation豬八戒
戒心vigilance
戒除to quit
戒备森严heavily-guarded戒備森嚴
破戒to violate a religious precept
戒骄戒躁to guard against pride and impatience (idiom); to remain modest and keep cool戒驕戒躁
斋戒to fast齋戒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 械 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 戒
Common phrases include '戒酒' (jiè jiǔ), meaning 'to quit drinking,' and '戒律' (jiè lǜ), which translates to 'monastic rules.' These phrases illustrate the character's connection to self-discipline and caution.
戒 (jiè) focuses on the idea of warning or admonishing against something, while 预防 (yù fáng) means to prevent or guard against an event before it happens. Understanding the nuances helps in using these words appropriately in conversation.
戒 (jiè) means to guard against, to exhort, or to admonish. It can also refer to giving up or stopping something, as well as Buddhist monastic discipline. Additionally, it can mean a ring for a finger.
戒 is often used in contexts related to warnings or advice. For example, you might say '戒烟' (jiè yān) which means 'to quit smoking.' It's important to understand the context in which it is used to convey the proper meaning.
You can use it in a context like '戒烟' (jiè yān), meaning 'to quit smoking', which demonstrates its use in advising against harmful habits.
While it is common in formal settings, it can also be used in everyday conversations about personal habits or decisions.
