Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
池chí(Chi2)
The character 池 (chí) primarily means 'pond' or 'pool', referring to a water body often found in gardens or landscapes. It can also denote a reservoir or moat, and is used as a surname in Chinese culture. In everyday conversation, it might be used when discussing water features in parks or nature.
Strokes6Radical氵Frequency#6803DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese gardens, ponds (池) are significant elements symbolizing tranquility and harmony, often designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and balance of the landscape. They are also common in traditional poetry, representing nature's beauty.
Memory tip
Imagine a serene pond (池) where you can see reflections of trees and clouds. The left part, 水 (water), hints at its meaning related to water, while the right side, also resembling a fence around a pool, reinforces the idea of containment. Picture the sound 'chí' as you dip your toes in the cool water.
Meanings of 池
chí(Chi2)
1pond
2reservoir
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 池 means.
About 池
池Simplified
6Strokes
氵Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6803Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 池
Podcast: 池
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 池
Quick Contrast
池 (pond) vs 湖 (lake) — use 池 for smaller, often man-made water bodies, while 湖 refers to larger, natural bodies of water.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 池 with other water-related terms like 河 (hé, river) or 湖 (hú, lake). It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but note that in written Chinese, 池 is often used in more literary or descriptive settings. Be careful with the tone; 'chí' should be pronounced with the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 池 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with water-related terms like 水 (water) and 河 (river), which are essential for beginner learners. Focusing on these related words can help students build a thematic understanding of water vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 池 to refer to larger bodies of water, such as lakes, which should be referred to as 湖 (hú). For example, saying '我去池' (Wǒ qù chí) to mean 'I go to the lake' is incorrect; it should be '我去湖' (Wǒ qù hú).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 池
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 池, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 池 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 池?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 池 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
池 = 氵 + 也. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 池
IDS Structure⿰氵也
池Full character
=
氵shui3
left
也Ye3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 池?
How to say surname Chi in Chinese
“surname Chi” in Chinese is池chí
The character 池 (chí) primarily means 'pond' or 'pool', referring to a water body often found in gardens or landscapes. It can also denote a reservoir or moat, and is used as a surname in Chinese culture. In everyday conversation, it might be used when discussing water features in parks or nature.
When to use 池
Learners often confuse 池 with other water-related terms like 河 (hé, river) or 湖 (hú, lake). It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but note that in written Chinese, 池 is often used in more literary or descriptive settings. Be careful with the tone; 'chí' should be pronounced with the second tone.
池 or something close to it
池 (pond) vs 湖 (lake) — use 池 for smaller, often man-made water bodies, while 湖 refers to larger, natural bodies of water.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 池 to refer to larger bodies of water, such as lakes, which should be referred to as 湖 (hú). For example, saying '我去池' (Wǒ qù chí) to mean 'I go to the lake' is incorrect; it should be '我去湖' (Wǒ qù hú).
Write 池
池
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 池 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 池
池 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 5 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.
