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系 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
系xìto tieHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto connectHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto fastenHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto relate toHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto button upHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto tie upHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto bindHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto be (literary)HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto arrestHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìto worryHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系xìsystem; line, link, connectionHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto tieHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto connectHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto fastenHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto relate toHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto button upHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto tie upHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto bindHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto be (literary)HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto arrestHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìto worryHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
系jìsystem; line, link, connectionHSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 糸, rank #2401, Hard
jì(ji4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1to tie
  2. 2to connect
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

系(係)jì(ji4)

The character 系 (jì) primarily means 'to tie' or 'to connect,' and can refer to both physical actions, like fastening something, and abstract concepts, such as relationships between ideas or systems. It is often used in contexts involving connections, such as systems in science or social relationships.

Strokes7Radical糸Frequency#2401DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of connections is highly valued, often seen in the significance of networking and relationships, known as '关系' (guānxì), which plays a crucial role in business and societal interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant 'tie' (系) connecting two people, symbolizing their relationship. The character itself has a 'tie' shape, with the radical for 'tie' (系) at the top, reminding you of its meaning to connect or bind.

Meanings of 系

jì(ji4)
primary
1to tie
2to connect
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 系

系Simplified
係Traditional
7Strokes
糸Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2401Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 系

JasonAmy

Podcast: 系

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 系

Quick Contrast

联系 (liánxì) — use 系 (jì) when emphasizing the act of tying or connecting, while 联系 (liánxì) focuses more on the concept of relationship or contact.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 系 with related characters like 关系 (guānxì, relationship) or 连接 (liánjiē, to connect), but remember that 系 focuses more on the act of tying or binding. Use it in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious not to mix it up with its homophones.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 系 connects with other vocabulary related to relationships and systems, like 关系 (guānxì) and 系统 (xìtǒng, system). Focus on its various applications in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 系 with the similar-sounding 记 (jì, to remember), leading to errors like saying '我系这个' (wǒ jì zhège) instead of '我记得这个' (wǒ jìde zhège). Always ensure you're using the correct character for your intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 系

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Etymology of 系

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a hand (又) holding a group of threads (糸) that are connected together (系).

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)糸
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 系

Pictograph of a hand (又) holding a group of threads (糸) that are connected together (系).

  1. 1The meaning half糸 carries the sense.
  2. 2The giveawaythread
  3. 3On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 系? 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 系?

Decomposition of 系

IDS Structure⿱丿糸
系Full Character
=
丿pie3
top
糸mi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 系?

How to say to tie in Chinese

“to tie” in Chinese is系xì

The character 系 (jì) primarily means 'to tie' or 'to connect,' and can refer to both physical actions, like fastening something, and abstract concepts, such as relationships between ideas or systems. It is often used in contexts involving connections, such as systems in science or social relationships.

When to use 系

Learners often confuse 系 with related characters like 关系 (guānxì, relationship) or 连接 (liánjiē, to connect), but remember that 系 focuses more on the act of tying or binding. Use it in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious not to mix it up with its homophones.

系 or something close to it

联系 (liánxì) — use 系 (jì) when emphasizing the act of tying or connecting, while 联系 (liánxì) focuses more on the concept of relationship or contact.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 系 with the similar-sounding 记 (jì, to remember), leading to errors like saying '我系这个' (wǒ jì zhège) instead of '我记得这个' (wǒ jìde zhège). Always ensure you're using the correct character for your intended meaning.

Write 系

系

Practice writing 系 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 系

系 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 11 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

校长亲自联____学生实习的公司。

The principal personally contacted the companies for student internships.

Example Sentences for 系 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
vto tie4
1
他用绳子把箱子系在车顶上。

Tā yòng shéngzi bǎ xiāngzi jì zài chē dǐng shàng.

He tied the box to the roof of the car with a rope.
2
请把这些气球系在椅子上，以免飞走。

Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē qìqiú jì zài yǐzi shàng, yǐmiǎn fēi zǒu.

Please tie these balloons to the chair to prevent them from flying away.
3
他习惯在跑步前把鞋带系得很紧。

Tā xíguàn zài pǎobù qián bǎ xiédài jì de hěn jǐn.

He is used to tying his shoelaces tightly before running.
4
你能帮我把围巾系得更好看一点吗？

Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ wéijīn jì de gèng hǎokàn yīdiǎn ma?

Can you help me tie the scarf to look nicer?
vto connect10
5
这家公司生产一系列的新型轻便自行车。

zhè jiā gōng sī shēng chǎn yī xì liè de xīn xíng qīng biàn zì háng chē。

The company manufactures a range of innovative light-weight cycles.
6
定期航班的数量正让空中交通指挥系统不堪重负。

dìng qī háng bān de shù liáng zhèng ràng kōng zhōng jiāo tōng zhǐ huī xì tǒng bù kān zhòng fù。

The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system.
7
我再次尝试联系我的表妹琼。

wǒ zài cì cháng shì lián xì wǒ de biǎo mèi qióng。

I tried again to get ahold of my cousin Joan.
8
这个团体与叙利亚的关系可以追溯到《圣经》时代。

zhè gè tuán tǐ yǔ xù lì yà de guān xì kě yǐ zhuī sù dào《 《 shèng》 jīng 》。

The community's links with Syria date back to biblical times.
9
那些地区通过完善的公路系统相互连接。

nà xiē dì qū tōng guò wán shàn de gōng lù xì tǒng xiāng hù lián jiē。

The regions are interconnected by an excellent highway system.
10
你离开时一定要努力和大家搞好关系。

nǐ lí kāi shí yī dìng yào nǔ lì hé dà jiā gǎo hǎo guān xì。

When you came away you made a definite effort to mix.
11
我打电话是要谈谈你写的有关“偏见”的系列文章。

wǒ dǎ diàn huà shì yào tán tán nǐ xiě de yǒu guān“ “ piān” jiàn ” de xì liè。

I'm calling in reference to your series on prejudice.
12
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。

tā mén de xiū xián fú xì liè miáo zhǔn de shì zhuī qiú shí máo de13 1325 dào 25 suì qīng。

Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
13
校友关系当然是帮了忙的。

xiào yǒu guān xì dāng rán shì bāng le máng de。

Of course, the old school tie has been a help.
14
同越南恢复友好关系的迹象越来越明显了。

tóng yuè nán huī fù yǒu hǎo guān xì de jì xiàng yuè lái yuè míng xiǎn le。

There have been growing signs of a ra-pprochement with Vietnam.

Word Family of 系

Compounds12
孫sun1grandchild, descendent; surname
縣xian4county, district, subdivision
懸xuan2to hang, to hoist, to suspend; hung
繇yao2cause, means, reason
纛dao4banner, streamer
邎
鲧Gun3giant fish; Gun, mythical father of the emperor Yu
係xi4system; line, link, connection
綔
緐
緜
鯀
Words Containing This Character20
关系guānxìrelation關係
系统xìtǒngsystem系統
联系liánxìconnection聯繫
系jìto connect係
没关系méiguānxiit doesn't matter沒關係
体系tǐxìsystem體系
系列xìlièseries
一系列yíxìlièa series of
星系galaxy
系数factor係數
性关系sexual relations性關係
操作系统operating system操作系統
关系到relates to關係到
联系人contact (person)聯繫人
人际关系interpersonal relationship人際關系
信息系统information system信息系統
太阳系solar system太陽系
维系to maintain維繫
银河系Milky Way Galaxy銀河系
神经系统nervous system神經系統
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 孫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 系

Common phrases include 系统 (xìtǒng, system) and 关系 (guānxì, relationship), both emphasizing connections.

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