HSK 7, vg, 7 strokes, radical 赤, rank #6412, Very Hard
赤
chì
scarlet
HSK 7, vg, 7 strokes, radical 赤, rank #6412, Very Hard
赤
chì
bare
HSK 7, vg, 7 strokes, radical 赤, rank #6412, Very Hard
赤
chì
naked
HSK 7, vg, 7 strokes, radical 赤, rank #6412, Very Hard
赤
chì
red, scarlet; blushing; bare, naked
HSK 7, vg, 7 strokes, radical 赤, rank #6412, Very Hard
chì(chi4) T4
1red
2scarlet
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March 24, 2026
赤chì(chi4)
The character 赤 (chì) primarily means 'red' or 'scarlet.' It can describe colors, emotions such as blushing, and even physical states like being bare or naked. This character is often used in contexts related to color description, symbolism, and expressions of vulnerability or exposure.
Strokes7Radical赤Frequency#6412DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, red is a highly auspicious color symbolizing good fortune and joy, often used in celebrations like the Lunar New Year and weddings. The character 赤 also reflects the cultural importance of colors in conveying emotions and social contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright red apple (赤) shining in the sun, symbolizing not only the color red but also the idea of something bare, as in its unwrapped, fresh nature. The character itself resembles an open mouth (口) above a floor (土), suggesting something revealed or exposed.
Meanings of 赤
chì(chi4)
1red
2scarlet
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 赤
赤Simplified
7Strokes
赤Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#6412Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 赤
Podcast: 赤
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 赤
Quick Contrast
赤 (chì) vs 红 (hóng): use 赤 for a more vivid or intense shade of red, while 红 is a more general term for red.
Usage Notes
When using 赤, be mindful of its context as it can convey strong emotional connotations related to shame or embarrassment when referring to blushing. Common collocations include '赤色' (red color) and '赤裸裸' (completely naked). Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 赤 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to basic color vocabulary that learners encounter early on. Focus on its usage in phrases and expressions, as well as its role in idiomatic language such as '赤裸裸的事实' (the bare truth).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 赤 with other colors like 红 (hóng, red) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢红色的苹果' (I like red apples) is correct, but if they meant to emphasize the vividness, using 赤色 would be more appropriate: '我喜欢赤色的苹果.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 赤
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1The giveawayA person 土 whose cheeks are burning 火
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 赤? 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 赤?
Decomposition of 赤
IDS Structure⿱土火
赤Full Character
=
土Tu3
top
火Huo3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 赤?
How to say red in Chinese
“red” in Chinese is赤chì
The character 赤 (chì) primarily means 'red' or 'scarlet.' It can describe colors, emotions such as blushing, and even physical states like being bare or naked. This character is often used in contexts related to color description, symbolism, and expressions of vulnerability or exposure.
When to use 赤
When using 赤, be mindful of its context as it can convey strong emotional connotations related to shame or embarrassment when referring to blushing. Common collocations include '赤色' (red color) and '赤裸裸' (completely naked). Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone to avoid confusion with other words.
赤 or something close to it
赤 (chì) vs 红 (hóng): use 赤 for a more vivid or intense shade of red, while 红 is a more general term for red.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 赤 with other colors like 红 (hóng, red) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢红色的苹果' (I like red apples) is correct, but if they meant to emphasize the vividness, using 赤色 would be more appropriate: '我喜欢赤色的苹果.'
Write 赤
赤
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Practice writing 赤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 赤
赤 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 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
贸易____字是经济快速发展带来的负面产物。
The trade deficit is the flip side of a rapidly expanding economy.
Example Sentences for 赤 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
贸易赤字是经济快速发展带来的负面产物。
mào yì chì zì shì jīng jì kuài sù fā zhǎn dài lái de fù miàn chǎn wù。
The trade deficit is the flip side of a rapidly expanding economy.
