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戒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
戒
jiè
to guard against
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
戒
jiè
to exhort
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
戒
jiè
to admonish or warn
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
戒
jiè
to give up or stop doing sth
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
戒
jiè
Buddhist monastic discipline
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
戒
jiè
ring (for a finger)
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
戒
jiè
to warn, to admonish; to swear off, to avoid
HSK 7, n, 7 strokes, radical 戈, rank #2713, Very Hard
jiè(jie4)jie T4
1to guard against
2to exhort
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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#2713DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
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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.
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.
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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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.
When to use 戒
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.
戒 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 戒
戒
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Practice writing 戒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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
Which one
Which one 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
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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 bèigào zhī yào jiǎnféi bìng jièyān。
I've been told to lose weight and stop smoking.
2
催眠疗法可能有助于你戒烟。
cuīmián liáofǎ kěnéng yǒuzhùyú nǐ jièyān。
Hypnotherapy can be useful in helping you give up smoking.
3
嗯，插一句，我那时正在努力戒烟。
ēn， chā yī jù， wǒ nà shí zhèngzài nǔlì jièyān。
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 yùdào tā shí， tā tánlùn qǐ zìjǐ shí zǒngshì néng ràng rén fàngxià jiè xīn。
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 yǐjīng jiè le dú， bìngqiě rènshi dào le shēngmìng kěguì。
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 kāishǐ zhí zhe yú tǐzhòng wèntí。
She stopped drinking but began obsessing about her weight.
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Word Family of 戒
Compounds5
械xièappliance
诫jiècommandment
駴hài
祴gāi
誡jièto warn, to admonish; warning
Words containing this character20
戒指jièzhi(finger) ring
戒jièto exhort
警戒jǐngjièto warn
戒毒jièdúto kick a drug habit
戒烟jièyānto give up smoking戒煙
戒备jièbèito take precautions戒備
戒酒jièjiǔto give up drinking
警戒线jǐngjièxiànpolice cordon警戒線
钻戒zuànjièdiamond ring鑽戒
惩戒chéngjièto discipline懲戒
戒严jièyánto impose martial law戒嚴
戒毒所jièdúsuǒdrug rehabilitation center
戒律jièlǜcommandment
猪八戒zhūbājièPigsy in Arthur Waley's translation豬八戒
戒心jièxīnvigilance
戒除jièchúto quit
戒备森严jièbèisēnyánheavily-guarded戒備森嚴
破戒pòjièto violate a religious precept
戒骄戒躁jièjiāojièzàoto guard against pride and impatience (idiom); to remain modest and keep cool戒驕戒躁
斋戒zhāijièto fast齋戒
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 戒
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.
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