Meanings of 系
By ear
Play it, then pick what 系 means.
About 系
Podcast: 系
Podcast: 系
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 系
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 系
Drill the tone of 系, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 系 to you
Let me explain 系 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 系 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 系?
Learning Lab
Knowing 系 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 系
Pictograph of a hand (又) holding a group of threads (糸) that are connected together (系).
thread
Origin
What kind of character is 系?
Decomposition of 系
Parts
Which of these is part of 系?
How to say to tie in Chinese
“to tie” in Chinese is系
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 系 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 系?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 系
Characters with 系
What does 孫 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 系
Common phrases include 系统 (xìtǒng, system) and 关系 (guānxì, relationship), both emphasizing connections.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 系?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.