Meanings of 契
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About 契
Podcast: 契
Podcast: 契
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AI Study Notes for 契
契 (qì) vs 合同 (hétong) — use 契 for formal or legal agreements, while 合同 is more commonly used for contracts in general contexts.
When using 契, be careful to use it in formal contexts, as it might sound too stiff or legal in casual conversations. Common collocations include 契约 (qìyuē, contract) and 契合 (qìhé, to agree or fit together). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 期 (qī, period) or 气 (qì, air), which have different meanings.
Although 契 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it offers a great opportunity to connect with related terms like 合同 (hétong, contract) and 约定 (yuēdìng, agreement). Focus on its usage in contractual contexts and practice its pronunciation to differentiate it from other similar-sounding words.
Learners often confuse 契 with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我签了一个契' (Wǒ qiānle yīgè qì) instead of '我签了一个合同' (Wǒ qiānle yīgè hétong) can imply a misunderstanding of the context, as 合同 is the more appropriate term for a contract.
Pronunciation of 契
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Etymology of 契
A contract signed by cutting 刀 notches 丰 in wood 木 (now changed to 大)
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 契
- 1The giveawayA contract signed by cutting 刀 notches 丰 in wood 木 (now changed to 大)
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 契? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 契?
Decomposition of 契
Identify the Components
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How to say deed, bond, contract; to engrave in Chinese
“deed, bond, contract; to engrave” in Chinese is契
The character 契 (qì) primarily refers to a deed, bond, or contract, often used in legal and formal contexts to signify an agreement between parties. It can also imply the act of engraving or carving, connecting to the idea of making a lasting mark or commitment. This character is commonly encountered in discussions about contracts or agreements in business and law.
When to use 契
When using 契, be careful to use it in formal contexts, as it might sound too stiff or legal in casual conversations. Common collocations include 契约 (qìyuē, contract) and 契合 (qìhé, to agree or fit together). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 期 (qī, period) or 气 (qì, air), which have different meanings.
契 or something close to it
契 (qì) vs 合同 (hétong) — use 契 for formal or legal agreements, while 合同 is more commonly used for contracts in general contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 契 with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我签了一个契' (Wǒ qiānle yīgè qì) instead of '我签了一个合同' (Wǒ qiānle yīgè hétong) can imply a misunderstanding of the context, as 合同 is the more appropriate term for a contract.
Write 契
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Practice writing 契 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 契
契 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
五点钟之前谁都不离开的默____
an unwritten understanding that nobody leaves before five o'clock
Example Sentences for 契 (3)
Word Family of 契
Compound Meaning
What does 默契 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 契
While both terms refer to agreements, 契 typically emphasizes the notion of a deed or bond, often used in formal or legal contexts, whereas 合同 is a more general term for any type of contract.
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