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基 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
基
jī
base
HSK 7, a, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #1908, Very Hard
基
jī
foundation
HSK 7, a, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #1908, Very Hard
基
jī
basic
HSK 7, a, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #1908, Very Hard
基
jī
radical (chemistry)
HSK 7, a, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #1908, Very Hard
基
jī
(slang) gay
HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #1908, Very Hard
jī(ji1)ji T1
1base
2foundation
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
基jī(ji1)
The character 基 (jī) primarily means 'base' or 'foundation.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as in mathematics, science, and everyday language to denote the underlying support or fundamental principle of something. Additionally, it can have a slang meaning referring to a gay person in informal contexts.
Strokes11Radical土Frequency#1908DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is often emphasized in education and relationships, reflecting the societal value placed on stability and support. The term 基础 is frequently used in educational contexts to signify the importance of building knowledge step by step.
Memory tip
Imagine a sturdy base (基) holding up a tall building. The character's form suggests stability, with the horizontal line at the bottom representing a strong foundation. Think of 'jī' as the 'key' to building something strong and lasting.
Meanings of 基
jī(ji1)
1base
2foundation
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 基
基Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1908Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 基
Podcast: 基
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AI study notes for 基
Quick Contrast
基础 (jīchǔ) - use 基 (jī) for 'base' in a general sense, while 基础 (jīchǔ) specifically refers to a foundational basis or principle in a more abstract or formal context.
Usage Notes
Be cautious about using 基 in formal contexts where a more specific term might be preferred. Common collocations include 基础 (jīchǔ, 'foundation') and 基因 (jīyīn, 'gene'). In spoken Mandarin, ensure you pronounce it with the first tone to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 基 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to related terms such as 基础 (foundational) and 基因 (gene), which may appear in higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in compound words, as this will enhance your vocabulary and comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 基 (base) with 机 (jī, machine) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我需要一个基' (wǒ xūyào yīgè jī) when meaning 'I need a machine' is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个机.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 基
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基 = 土 + 其. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 基
IDS Structure⿱其土
基Full character
=
其qi2
top
土Tu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 基?
How to say base in Chinese
“base” in Chinese is基jī
The character 基 (jī) primarily means 'base' or 'foundation.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as in mathematics, science, and everyday language to denote the underlying support or fundamental principle of something. Additionally, it can have a slang meaning referring to a gay person in informal contexts.
When to use 基
Be cautious about using 基 in formal contexts where a more specific term might be preferred. Common collocations include 基础 (jīchǔ, 'foundation') and 基因 (jīyīn, 'gene'). In spoken Mandarin, ensure you pronounce it with the first tone to avoid confusion with other words.
基 or something close to it
基础 (jīchǔ) - use 基 (jī) for 'base' in a general sense, while 基础 (jīchǔ) specifically refers to a foundational basis or principle in a more abstract or formal context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 基 (base) with 机 (jī, machine) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我需要一个基' (wǒ xūyào yīgè jī) when meaning 'I need a machine' is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个机.'
Write 基
基
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Practice writing 基 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 基
基 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
基金会jījīnhuìfoundation (institution supported by an endowment)基金會
基督教jīdūjiàoChristianity
基督徒jīdūtúChristian
比基尼bǐjīníbikini (loanword)
基准jīzhǔnnorm基準
诺基亚nuòjīyàNokia (company name)諾基亞
肯塔基kěntǎjīKentucky, US state
肯德基kěndéjīKFC
地基dìjībase
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 基
What does 塞 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 基
Examples of 基 (jī) include phrases like '基础教育' (basic education) and '基因' (gene). These terms illustrate how 基 is used to convey foundational concepts in various fields, from education to biology.
基 (jī) relates to other words such as 基础 (jīchǔ), meaning 'foundation', and 基本 (jīběn), meaning 'basic' or 'fundamental'. These words share a common theme of foundational concepts, highlighting its importance in constructing meaning in Chinese vocabulary.
基 (jī) means 'base' or 'foundation' in Chinese. It can refer to a fundamental principle or the basic structure of something. Additionally, in chemistry, it denotes the concept of a radical or base. In slang, it can also refer to 'gay'.
To use 基 (jī) in a sentence, you can say '这座建筑是基于坚固的基础' which means 'This building is based on a solid foundation.' You can also use it in phrases like '基于此' meaning 'based on this'. This shows its versatility in both formal and colloquial contexts.
Common phrases include 基础 (jīchǔ), which means 'foundation,' and 基因 (jīyīn), which means 'gene.'
Yes, in informal contexts, 基 can refer to a gay person.
It is pronounced with a high, even tone (first tone), like 'jee.'
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