HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
歇
xiē
to halt
HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
歇
xiē
(dialect) to sleep
HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
歇
xiē
a moment
HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
歇
xiē
a short while
HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
xiē(xie1) T1
1to rest
2to stop, to rest, to lodge
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March 24, 2026
歇xiē(xie1)
The character 歇 (xiē) means 'to rest' or 'to stop.' It is commonly used in contexts where a break or pause is needed, whether physically or metaphorically. This word can refer to taking a short break during work or stopping an ongoing action.
Strokes13Radical欠Frequency#4440DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, taking breaks is often emphasized in both work and social settings, reflecting a balance between hard work and relaxation. The concept of 歇 is crucial during meal times or in traditional tea breaks.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tired person who needs to 'rest' (xiē) after a long day, represented by the character 歇. The left part of the character (止) looks like a person standing still, while the right part (懈) can be remembered as someone letting go of their burdens, emphasizing relaxation.
Meanings of 歇
xiē(xie1)
1to rest
2to stop, to rest, to lodge
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 歇
歇Simplified
13Strokes
欠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4440Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 歇
Podcast: 歇
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AI Study Notes for 歇
Quick Contrast
歇 (xiē) vs 停 (tíng) — use 歇 when emphasizing a break or rest, while 停 focuses on halting an action.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 歇 with similar verbs like 休 (xiū), which also means 'to rest' but is more formal. It is often used in casual conversation. Common collocations include '歇一歇' (take a short break) and '歇息' (rest).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 歇 connects with other verbs related to rest and pause, such as 休息 (xiūxī) and 停 (tíng). Focus on using it in sentences about daily routines or breaks to reinforce your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 歇 with 休, using them interchangeably in all contexts. For example, saying '我需要休' (I need to rest) is incorrect; it should be '我需要歇一下' (I need to take a break).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 歇
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Phonosemantic compound. 欠 represents the meaning and 曷 represents the sound.
1The meaning half欠 carries the sense.
2The sound half曷 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayyawn
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 歇? 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 歇?
Decomposition of 歇
IDS Structure⿰曷欠
歇Full Character
=
曷he2
left
欠qian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 歇?
How to say to rest in Chinese
“to rest” in Chinese is歇xiē
The character 歇 (xiē) means 'to rest' or 'to stop.' It is commonly used in contexts where a break or pause is needed, whether physically or metaphorically. This word can refer to taking a short break during work or stopping an ongoing action.
When to use 歇
Be careful not to confuse 歇 with similar verbs like 休 (xiū), which also means 'to rest' but is more formal. It is often used in casual conversation. Common collocations include '歇一歇' (take a short break) and '歇息' (rest).
歇 or something close to it
歇 (xiē) vs 停 (tíng) — use 歇 when emphasizing a break or rest, while 停 focuses on halting an action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 歇 with 休, using them interchangeably in all contexts. For example, saying '我需要休' (I need to rest) is incorrect; it should be '我需要歇一下' (I need to take a break).
Write 歇
歇
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Practice writing 歇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 歇
歇 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 5
Complete the Sentence
他们在一家小餐馆____脚，吃了顿干酪火锅。
They stopped at a little cafe and had a fondue.
Common Confusions with 歇
歇vs写
xiě
Similar pronunciation but different meanings.
歇vs卸
xiè
Similar pronunciation and structure but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to rest"?
or
Usage Notes for 歇
Misunderstanding the duration of restCommon Error
When using 歇, it's important to clarify the duration of the break if it's not clear from context.
1
我们休息多长时间？
How long do we rest?
Example Sentences for 歇 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们在一家小餐馆歇脚，吃了顿干酪火锅。
tā mén zài yī jiā xiǎo cān guǎn xiē jiǎo， ， chī le dùn gān lào huǒ。
They stopped at a little cafe and had a fondue.
2
他坚持让我们在亚特兰大市外不远的一家小餐馆歇歇脚。
tā jiān chí ràng wǒ mén zài yà tè lán dà shì wài bù yuǎn de yī jiā xiǎo cān guǎn xiē xiē jiǎo。
He insisted we stop at a small restaurant just outside of Atlanta.
