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March 24, 2026
志气(志氣)zhìqì(zhi4qi4)
志气 (zhìqì) refers to a person's ambition, resolve, or strong will to achieve their goals. It embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination, often used in contexts where someone's aspirations and determination are highlighted, especially in relation to personal or professional pursuits.
Strokes11Frequency#28960DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, having 志气 is highly valued, often associated with historical figures who exhibited strong willpower and determination, such as Confucius. It reflects a cultural emphasis on perseverance in the face of challenges.
Memory Tip
Think of 志 (zhì) as a 'will' with the radical for 'heart' (心) indicating passion, and 气 (qì) as 'energy' or 'air.' Imagine a balloon filled with air representing your ambitions; if it has enough气, it will soar high. Together, 志气 symbolizes the driving force behind your aspirations.
Meanings of 志气
zhìqì(zhi4qi4)
1ambition
2resolve
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About 志气
志气Simplified
志氣Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#28960Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 志气
Podcast: 志气
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AI Study Notes for 志气
Quick Contrast
志向 (zhìxiàng) vs 志愿 (zhìyuàn) — use 志气 for emphasis on willpower and determination, while 志向 focuses more on the direction or goals one aims for; 志愿 refers to voluntary wishes or aspirations.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 志 (zhì) as a 'will' with the radical for 'heart' (心) indicating passion, and 气 (qì) as 'energy' or 'air.' Imagine a balloon filled with air representing your ambitions; if it has enough气, it will soar high. Together, 志气 symbolizes the driving force behind your aspirations.
Usage Notes
志气 is generally used in a positive context to praise someone's determination. Common collocations include 志气高 (high ambition) and 有志气 (to have spirit). Be cautious with tones; mispronouncing 志气 can change its meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 志气 connects to other advanced vocabulary about personal qualities and aspirations. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express goals or character descriptions to enhance their fluency and comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, having 志气 is highly valued, often associated with historical figures who exhibited strong willpower and determination, such as Confucius. It reflects a cultural emphasis on perseverance in the face of challenges.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 志气 with similar terms like 魄力 or 目标 (goal). For example, saying '他的志气是成为医生' is incorrect; it should be '他的志气是做一个成功的医生' to accurately convey the ambition.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 志气
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Grammar Patterns of 志气
志气 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
Complete the Sentence
他们虽穷却很有____.
They are ambitious although they are poor.
Example Sentences for 志气 (37)
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nambition25
1
他们虽穷却很有志气.
tā mén suī qióng què hěn yǒu zhì qì.
They are ambitious although they are poor.
2
他从小就有冲破困境的志气，总是努力不懈。
Tā cóng xiǎo jiù yǒu chōngpò kùnjìng de zhìqì, zǒng shì nǔlì bùxiè.
He has had the ambition to overcome difficulties since childhood and always works tirelessly.
In business management, ambition is one of the key elements of a leader's success.
22
志气是他创业成功的动力源泉。
Zhìqì shì tā chuàngyè chénggōng de dònglì yuánquán.
Ambition is the driving force behind his entrepreneurial success.
23
即使在失败时，他的志气依然不减。
Jíshǐ zài shībài shí, tā de zhìqì yīrán bù jiǎn.
Even in failure, his ambition remains undiminished.
24
她用志气和毅力实现了自己的职业目标。
Tā yòng zhìqì hé yìlì shíxiànle zìjǐ de zhíyè mùbiāo.
She achieved her career goals with ambition and perseverance.
25
一个国家的未来取决于年轻人的志气和创新。
Yīgè guójiā de wèilái qǔjué yú niánqīng rén de zhìqì hé chuàngxīn.
The future of a country depends on the ambition and innovation of its youth.
nresolve12
26
他面对困难时总是表现出非凡的志气。
Tā miàn duì kùnnán shí zǒng shì biǎoxiàn chū fēifán de zhìqì.
He always shows extraordinary resolve when facing difficulties.
27
她的志气让她在逆境中也不放弃。
Tā de zhìqì ràng tā zài nìjìng zhōng yě bù fàngqì.
Her resolve keeps her from giving up even in adversity.
28
年轻人应该有志气，追求自己的梦想。
Niánqīng rén yīnggāi yǒu zhìqì, zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
Young people should have the resolve to pursue their dreams.
29
他面对困难时总是表现出非凡的志气。
Tā miàn duì kùnnán shí zǒng shì biǎoxiàn chū fēifán de zhìqì.
He always shows extraordinary resolve when facing difficulties.
30
她的志气让她在逆境中也不放弃。
Tā de zhìqì ràng tā zài nìjìng zhōng yě bù fàngqì.
Her resolve keeps her from giving up even in adversity.
31
年轻人应该有志气，追求自己的梦想。
Niánqīng rén yīnggāi yǒu zhìqì, zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
Young people should have the resolve to pursue their dreams.
32
他面对困难时总是表现出非凡的志气。
Tā miàn duì kùnnán shí zǒng shì biǎoxiàn chū fēifán de zhìqì.
He always shows extraordinary resolve when facing difficulties.
33
她的志气让她在逆境中也不放弃。
Tā de zhìqì ràng tā zài nìjìng zhōng yě bù fàngqì.
Her resolve keeps her from giving up even in adversity.
34
年轻人应该有志气，追求自己的梦想。
Niánqīng rén yīnggāi yǒu zhìqì, zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
Young people should have the resolve to pursue their dreams.
35
他面对困难时总是表现出非凡的志气。
Tā miàn duì kùnnán shí zǒng shì biǎoxiàn chū fēifán de zhìqì.
He always shows extraordinary resolve when facing difficulties.
36
她的志气让她在逆境中也不放弃。
Tā de zhìqì ràng tā zài nìjìng zhōng yě bù fàngqì.
Her resolve keeps her from giving up even in adversity.
37
年轻人应该有志气，追求自己的梦想。
Niánqīng rén yīnggāi yǒu zhìqì, zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
Young people should have the resolve to pursue their dreams.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
They are ambitious although they are poor.
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Cultural Notes for 志气
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, having 志气 is highly valued, often associated with historical figures who exhibited strong willpower and determination, such as Confucius. It reflects a cultural emphasis on perseverance in the face of challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions about 志气
志气 emphasizes ambition and resolve, while 魄力 refers to boldness or decisiveness in action.
Generally, 志气 is positive, but it can imply stubbornness if used in a context where ambition leads to inflexibility.
You can say '他有很大的志气，想成为科学家' meaning 'He has great ambition and wants to become a scientist.'
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