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歇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
歇
xiē
to rest
HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
歇
xiē
to stop, to rest, to lodge
HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 欠, rank #4440, Hard
歇
xiē
to take a break
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)xie 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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 歇 means.
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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Example
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歇 = 欠 + 曷. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 歇
IDS Structure⿰曷欠
歇Full character
=
曷he2
left
欠qian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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
Which one
Which one 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.
She flicked through a romantic paperback between occasional dips in the pool.
9
因腿部骨折歇工休养八周
yīn tuǐ bù gǔzhé xiē gōng xiūyǎng bā zhōu
an eight-week lay-off with a broken leg
10
歇会儿,喝杯茶.
xiē huì ér, hē bēi chá.
Let's knock off for a cup of tea.
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Word Family of 歇
Words containing this character16
歇xiēto rest
马歇尔mǎxiē’ěrMarshall (name)馬歇爾
米歇尔mǐxiē’ěrMichel or Mitchell (name)米歇爾
歇斯底里xiēsīdǐlǐhysterical
间歇jiànxiēintermittent間歇
停歇tíngxiēto stop for a rest
歇息xiēxito have a rest
歇业xiēyèto go out of business歇業
密歇根州mìxiēgēnzhōuMichigan, US state
歇脚xiējiǎoto stop on the way for a rest歇腳
安歇ānxiēto go to bed
歇后语xiēhòuyǔsaying in which the second part, uttered after a pause or totally left out, is the intended meaning of the allegory presented in the first part歇後語
密歇根大学mìxiēgēndàxuéUniversity of Michigan密歇根大學
歇手xiēshǒuto rest
密歇根mìxiēgēnMichigan, US state
歇宿xiēsùto lodge
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 歇
What does 马歇尔 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 歇
Generally, 歇 is more common in informal contexts, while 休息 is preferred in formal writing.
Not always; while both mean 'to rest,' 歇 is more casual and often implies a shorter break.
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