Word

似曾相识 (sì céng xiāng shí) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

Meaning of 似曾相识

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

seeming familiar

这个地方似曾相识，但我确定没来过。

zhè ge dì fang sì céng xiāng shí dàn wǒ què dìng méi lái guò

This place seems familiar, but I'm sure I haven't been here.

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Word breakdown

似 sì — to seem, to resemble

1 似乎 sì hū — seemingly, apparently HSK 5
- 似 to seem, to resemble
- 乎 particle adding uncertainty/softness
Example

他似乎不太高兴。

tā sì hū bù tài gāo xìng

He doesn't seem very happy.
2 相似 xiāng sì — similar HSK 5
- 相 mutually, reciprocally
- 似 to resemble, to be like
Example

这两个词的意思相似。

zhè liǎng gè cí de yì si xiāng sì

These two words have similar meanings.
3 类似 lèi sì — similar HSK 5
- 类 category, type
- 似 to resemble, to be like
Example

这种情况和上次的很类似。

zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng hé shàng cì de hěn lèi sì

This situation is very similar to the last one.
4 看似 kàn sì — to seem HSK 6
- 看 to look, to observe
- 似 to resemble, to appear to be
Example

这个问题看似简单，实际上很复杂。

zhè ge wèn tí kàn sì jiǎn dān shí jì shàng hěn fù zá

This problem seems simple, but is actually very complex.
5 似是而非 sì shì ér fēi — seemingly true but actually false HSK 7
- 似 to seem, to appear, to resemble
- 是 to be (correct/right)
- 而 but, yet (conjunction)
- 非 not, wrong, false
Example

这种似是而非的说法容易误导大众。

zhè zhǒng sì shì ér fēi de shuō fǎ róng yì wù dǎo dà zhòng

This kind of specious statement easily misleads the public.

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6 好似 hǎo sì — to seem like, as if HSK 7
- 好 intensifier combining with 似 to form the comparison expression
- 似 to resemble, to be like, to seem
Example

天气好似要下雨了。

tiān qì hǎo sì yào xià yǔ le

The weather seems like it's going to rain.
7 酷似 kù sì — to closely resemble HSK 7
- 酷 extremely, strikingly (intensifier)
- 似 to resemble, to be like
Example

这个孩子酷似他的父亲。

zhè ge hái zi kù sì tā de fù qīn

This child closely resembles his father.

曾 céng — once, formerly

1 曾经 céng jīng — once, formerly HSK 5
- 曾 ever, in the past (indicates past time)
- 经 experienced, gone through (emphasizes the experiential aspect)
Example

我曾经去过北京。

wǒ céng jīng qù guò Běi jīng

I once went to Beijing.
2 不曾 bù céng — never HSK 6
- 不 not (negative particle)
- 曾 ever, once (indicating past experience)
Example

他不曾放弃过自己的梦想。

tā bù céng fàng qì guò zì jǐ de mèng xiǎng

He has never given up on his dreams.

相 xiāng — mutually, each other

识 shí — to know, to recognize

Structure & writing

1 似 sì — to resemble; to be like

Xpinyin

似 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 亻 rén — person/human radical (standing figure)

亻 is a component in 117 characters

HSK 1

什 shén see "什么": ① interrogative pronoun; ② indefinite reference; ③ universal reference (used before 也/都); ④ surprise or dissatisfaction; ⑤ reproach; ⑥ disagreement; ⑦ non-exhaustive enumeration 他 tā third-person pronoun, generally male, sometimes gender-neutral (he/him; they) 们 men suffix added to pronouns or nouns referring to people to indicate plural 件 jiàn measure word for individual items 休 xiū to stop; to cease (something)

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住 zhù to reside; to stay (permanently or temporarily) 作 zuò to work; to make; to produce 你 nǐ you (second person singular pronoun) 便 biàn convenient; to make convenient, smooth, without difficulty or obstruction 候 hòu to wait; to await 做 zuò to make; to manufacture (a physical object)

HSK 2

但 dàn only, merely 位 wèi position; location 体 tǐ the whole body of a person or animal; by extension, a part of the body 游 yóu unfixed; constantly moving

HSK 3

信 xìn letter; written message 借 jiè to borrow (something to be returned later) 假 jiǎ false; fake; not genuine, opposite of "真" 健 jiàn to strengthen; to make robust 像 xiàng portrait, image, or sculpture made in the likeness of a person or object

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化 huà to change in nature or form; to transform 复 fù to repeat; to do more than once

HSK 4

仅 jǐn only; merely 仍 réng still; as before; unchanged 仔 zǎi (dial.) young man 付 fù to submit; to hand over 价 jià price; the monetary value of goods

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任 rèn to appoint; to assign to a post 份 fèn a portion or share of a whole divided into parts 优 yōu excellent; superior (opposite of 劣) 伙 huǒ meals; food provisions 估 gū to estimate, to reckon approximately 低 dī low (opposite of 'high'); close to the ground 何 hé interrogative pronoun: ① what ② where ③ why 使 shǐ to dispatch; to order about 例 lì example; instance used as a reference or model 供 gōng to supply; to provide money or goods for those in need 保 bǎo to guard and protect from harm or loss 俩 liǎ two (cannot be followed by 个 or other measure words) 倍 bèi a multiple; a number equal to another multiplied by a given factor 倒 dǎo to fall down; to topple over 值 zhí price; value; numerical value 停 tíng to stop, to cease moving 偶 ǒu idol; figure made of wood or clay 傅 fù (lit.) to assist; to instruct 傲 ào arrogant; proud 夜 yè night (from dusk to dawn), opposite of '日'/'昼'

HSK 5

亿 yì one hundred million 代 dài to substitute; to replace 仿 fǎng to imitate; to follow as a model 伍 wǔ a military unit of five soldiers in ancient times; now refers to the army in general 伟 wěi great; sublime; inspiring reverence

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传 chuán to pass from one party to another; to hand down from generation to generation 伴 bàn companion; partner 伸 shēn to stretch out; to extend 似 sì to resemble; to be like 佛 fó Buddha (abbrev. of Sanskrit transliteration '佛陀'); esp. Shakyamuni, founder of Buddhism 佳 jiā beautiful, good 依 yī to lean on; to rely on, to depend on 促 cù short (of time) 俗 sú custom; social habit or convention formed over time 倡 chàng to initiate; to advocate 傍 bàng to be close to; to be beside 催 cuī to urge; to press someone to act quickly 傻 shǎ foolish, stupid 宿 sù to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight 拖 tuō to drag (an object along a surface) 施 shī to implement; to exert

HSK 6

仗 zhàng general term for ancient weapons 仪 yí appearance and bearing; demeanor 仰 yǎng face upward (opposite of 俯, to face downward) 佩 pèi to wear (on one's person); to carry at one's side 侄 zhí nephew (son of a brother or male peer; also used for a friend's son)

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侧 cè side; lateral (opposite of 'front/upright') 俱 jù all, entirely 倾 qīng to tilt; to lean 偷 tōu to steal; to take something without the owner's knowledge 偿 cháng to repay; to compensate 储 chǔ to save, to store up

HSK 7

仁 rén benevolence; the Confucian moral concept centered on compassion, love, and altruism 仆 pú servant hired to do household chores 仇 chóu enemy; foe 仙 xiān immortal; a person with supernatural abilities in mythology 仲 zhòng second among siblings (after 伯, before 叔)

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伏 fú to lean forward onto something; to lie face down, prostrate 伐 fá to chop (a tree); to fell 伦 lún generation; kind; category 伪 wěi false; fake; deceitful (opposite of 真) 伯 bó uncle (father's elder brother) 伺 sì to watch; to lie in wait 佑 yòu to assist and protect 佣 yōng to hire or be hired 侃 kǎn (lit.) upright and forthright 侈 chǐ wasteful; extravagant 侍 shì to serve, attend upon, wait on someone 侠 xiá a chivalrous person or act of helping the oppressed through personal strength 侣 lǚ companion; partner 侥 jiǎo 见"侥幸": to gain benefit or avoid misfortune by chance 侦 zhēn to spy; to secretly investigate or scout 侨 qiáo to reside abroad 侮 wǔ to bully, to treat with contempt 侵 qīn to invade, to encroach on others' rights 俊 jùn handsome; good-looking (opposite of ugly) 俏 qiào handsome; good-looking; nimble and graceful 俘 fú prisoner of war; captive 俭 jiǎn frugal, thrifty (opposite of 奢) 俯 fǔ to bow one's head, face downward (opposite of 仰) 倔 juè straightforward in character, blunt in speech 倘 tǎng if; supposing that 倚 yǐ to lean against 倦 juàn tired, weary 债 zhài debt (money owed to others) 偏 piān not straight; off-center; tilted (opposite of 正) 僚 liáo government official 僧 sēng Buddhist monk 僵 jiāng stiff, rigid (of limbs) 僻 pì remote, far from the center

1.2 以 yǐ — with, by means of, using

以 is a component in 2 characters

HSK 5

似 sì to resemble; to be like

HSK 6

拟 nǐ to draft; to draw up

Stroke order

2 曾 céng — once; formerly (indicating a past experience)

曾 is a component in 4 characters

HSK 4

增 zēng to increase (opposite of 减)

HSK 5

赠 zèng to give as a gift; to present

HSK 7

僧 sēng Buddhist monk 蹭 cèng to rub; to scrape

曾 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

3 相 xiāng — mutually; each other

Xpinyin

相 is a component in 4 characters

HSK 1

想 xiǎng to think; to ponder

HSK 3

箱 xiāng box; chest; trunk (a rectangular container with a lid for storing or transporting goods or clothing)

HSK 5

厢 xiāng side room flanking the main hall

HSK 7

霜 shuāng frost (white ice crystals formed on surfaces near the ground when temperature drops below 0°C)

consists of

3.1 木 mù — tree; general term for woody plants

木 is a component in 126 characters

HSK 1

休 xiū to stop; to cease (something) 床 chuáng bed (furniture for sleeping) 本 běn root or stem of a plant 机 jī machine; a device or apparatus composed of many parts that can do work or serve a special function 条 tiáo a long narrow strip

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杯 bēi cup or glass for holding wine, water, tea, etc. 果 guǒ fruit; the seed-bearing part of a plant after flowering 校 xiào school 样 yàng shape; appearance; state of affairs 桌 zhuō table; desk (furniture for placing items on) 椅 yǐ chair (a seat with a backrest) 茶 chá tea plant (evergreen shrub with oblong leaves, white flowers, and hard-shelled seeds; young leaves are processed into tea leaves)

HSK 2

楼 lóu a floor/storey of a building

HSK 3

末 mò tip or end of an object 朵 duǒ measure word for flowers or clusters 李 lǐ plum tree (deciduous tree with white flowers) 束 shù to tie; to bind 板 bǎn a flat, hard piece of material (board, plank, slab)

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极 jí apex; highest point; extremity 查 chá to inspect carefully; to examine 树 shù tree; general term for woody plants 根 gēn root (organ of a higher plant that anchors it and absorbs water and nutrients; taproots and fibrous roots) 梯 tī ladder; stairs; escalator 检 jiǎn to inspect; to examine 概 gài general idea; outline 相 xiāng mutually; each other

HSK 4

困 kùn to be trapped in hardship or difficulty; unable to break free from circumstances 术 shù skill; technique; art; learning 杂 zá varied; mixed; not pure 材 cái timber; wood 村 cūn village; small residential settlement

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松 sōng pine tree (evergreen or deciduous conifer) 林 lín forest; grove of trees or bamboo 染 rǎn to dye (an object with dye) 柿 shì persimmon tree, a deciduous tree with oval leaves, yellowish-white flowers, and edible orange or red fruit 标 biāo treetop; tip of a branch 格 gé a ruled cell, box, or grid compartment 案 àn ancient wooden food tray 桥 qiáo bridge (structure built over water or in the air for passage) 桶 tǒng bucket; barrel; tub (cylindrical container made of plastic, wood, or metal, sometimes with a handle) 棒 bàng stick; club (usu. thick and short) 森 sēn abounding in trees; densely forested 棵 kē measure word for plants 植 zhí to plant, to cultivate 深 shēn deep (opposite of shallow)

HSK 5

未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 权 quán ancient counterweight of a steelyard 构 gòu to construct; to compose; to design 析 xī to separate; to disperse 架 jià rack, shelf, or frame used to support or hold objects

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某 mǒu a certain (person, place, thing, etc.); so-and-so 柜 guì cabinet or chest (for storing documents, clothes, etc.), usually rectangular, made of metal or wood, with a door or lid 桃 táo peach tree, a small deciduous tree with smooth twigs, oblong-lanceolate leaves, solitary pink flowers, and sweet, roughly spherical fruit covered in fine fuzz; the kernel is used medicinally 档 dàng shelving or cabinet with compartments for storing files 梨 lí pear tree, a deciduous tree or shrub with five-petaled white flowers and oval leaves 模 mó rule; norm; standard 橘 jú mandarin orange tree, an evergreen tree bearing oblate sweet-sour fruit with red-yellow peel used in medicine 橙 chéng orange tree (evergreen tree with oval leaves, juicy round fruit with red-yellow rind) 橡 xiàng deciduous oak tree (also called 栎, 麻栎, or 柞树) whose leaves feed silkworms and whose timber is used for sleepers and furniture 荣 róng lush; flourishing (of plants) 采 cǎi to pick (flowers, leaves, or fruit) 闲 xián free; unoccupied; idle (opposite of 'busy') 集 jí to gather, assemble, collect

HSK 6

呆 dāi foolish; stupid 朴 pǔ unworked timber; rough wood 杀 shā to kill; to cause the death of a person or animal 杰 jié a person of outstanding talent 枕 zhěn pillow

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枝 zhī branch (of a plant) 枪 qiāng traditional spear or lance with a sharp metal tip on a long shaft 枯 kū withered; dried out (of plants) 柔 róu soft, pliant (opposite of "刚") 柴 chái firewood; brushwood for burning 栋 dòng ridgepole or main beam of a house 栏 lán railing; barrier 株 zhū roots and trunk of a tree above ground 核 hé hard pit or stone at the center of a fruit 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member 梅 méi plum tree (deciduous tree with oval leaves, cold-resistant, blooming in early spring with five-petaled flowers in pink, white, or red; fruit is round, green when unripe and yellow when ripe, edible and sour) 械 xiè specialized implement or tool 棉 mián cotton plant (annual or perennial herb or shrub; cultivated varieties include upland cotton, sea-island cotton, tree cotton, etc.; cotton fibers are a key textile material; seeds can be pressed for oil; commonly called 棉花) 棋 qí board game (such as Go, chess, checkers) 棍 gùn stick; rod (made from wood, bamboo, etc.) 棕 zōng brown color (like palm fiber) 椎 zhuī vertebra, short bone forming the spine in humans and higher animals 椒 jiāo pepper plant (Sichuan pepper, black pepper, chili pepper, etc.) whose fruits or seeds have a pungent or spicy flavor 榜 bǎng posted list of names 横 héng horizontal (opposite of vertical 竖/直) 渠 qú waterway, especially an artificially dug canal or ditch

HSK 7

朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 朽 xiǔ to rot or decay (of material over time) 杆 gǎn the slender, rod-like part of an object (including hollow ones) 杖 zhàng walking stick, cane 杜 dù birchleaf pear tree (a deciduous tree with small, astringent fruit, used as main rootstock for grafting pears)

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杠 gàng thick rod or pole 杨 yáng poplar tree (deciduous tree with oval or lanceolate leaves and upright branches, including white poplar and other varieties) 枉 wǎng crooked, bent; referring to error or deviation 枚 méi a counter for small objects (similar to 个), one by one 枢 shū pivot; central or crucial part 柄 bǐng handle of an object 柏 bǎi cypress tree, an evergreen with scale-like leaves and cone fruits; hard wood used as building material 柱 zhù pillar; column (a vertical load-bearing structural member in a building, usually made of wood or stone) 柳 liǔ willow tree (deciduous tree with long, slender drooping branches and narrow leaves) 栖 qī to perch (originally of birds on trees); broadly, to dwell or stay 栽 zāi to plant; to grow (plants) 桂 guì plant name: 1. cinnamon tree (evergreen, white flowers, aromatic bark used as spice and medicine); 2. bay laurel (evergreen, oblong leaves, yellow flowers, leaves used as spice); 3. sweet osmanthus (evergreen shrub or small tree, also called 木樨, white or yellow fragrant flowers used as spice) 框 kuàng frame embedded in a wall for installing doors or windows 桑 sāng mulberry tree, a deciduous tree with oval serrated leaves used to feed silkworms, sweet purple or yellow-green fruit, and bark/leaves/fruit/roots used in medicine 桨 jiǎng oar; paddle (for rowing a boat, usually wooden, cylindrical on the upper part and flat and slightly wider on the lower part) 桩 zhuāng stake or post driven into the ground 梢 shāo the thinner end of a strip-like object 梭 suō shuttle (weaving tool on a loom that carries the weft thread through the warp, thick in the middle and pointed at both ends, typically made of hard wood; also called 梭子) 梳 shū comb (tool for tidying hair or beard, made of bamboo, wood, or plastic) 棚 péng shed or awning made of bamboo, wood, and matting to shelter from sun, wind, and rain 棱 léng edge where two surfaces of an object meet 棺 guān coffin 椭 tuǒ elliptical; oval shape formed by cutting a cylinder or cone at an angle 椰 yē coconut palm, a tall tropical evergreen tree whose fruit contains juice and edible flesh 楷 kǎi model, example, standard 榨 zhà to press or squeeze out juice from something 槐 huái pagoda tree, a deciduous tree with pinnate leaves, pale yellow flowers, and cylindrical seed pods; used as dye source, medicine, and timber 槛 kǎn threshold (low strip at the base of a door, made of wood or stone) 槽 cáo trough (rectangular container with raised sides and a sunken middle, used for feed, water, or wine; especially a feed trough for livestock) 橱 chú cabinet; cupboard (a piece of furniture with doors for storing things) 檐 yán eaves; overhanging edge of a roof 沐 mù to wash one's hair; to bathe, wash

3.2 目 mù — eye

目 is a component in 38 characters

HSK 1

看 kàn to look at; to watch 睡 shuì to sleep

HSK 2

眼 yǎn eye (visual organ of humans and animals) 着 zhuó to wear (clothing) 睛 jīng eyeball, pupil of the eye

HSK 3

冒 mào to rise; to emerge; to come out 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲) 相 xiāng mutually; each other

HSK 4

具 jù tool; utensil; implement 省 shěng to save; to economize (opposite of 费)

HSK 5

泪 lèi tears; colorless liquid secreted by the lacrimal glands of the eye 盾 dùn shield (ancient protective weapon used in battle) 眠 mián to sleep

HSK 6

盲 máng blind; unable to see 盼 pàn to eagerly hope for; to long for 眉 méi eyebrow 睁 zhēng to open one's eyes 督 dū to supervise, oversee, inspect

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瞧 qiáo (colloq.) to look; to see 瞬 shùn to blink; to wink

HSK 7

渺 miǎo vast and boundless (of water) 盯 dīng to fix one's gaze on; to stare at 盹 dǔn a brief nap; a doze 眨 zhǎ to blink (the eyes) 眯 mī to squint; to narrow the eyes

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眶 kuàng eye socket; the area around the eye 眺 tiào to gaze into the distance 睐 lài (lit.) having misaligned pupils 睦 mù harmonious; amicable 睬 cǎi to pay attention to; to take notice of 睹 dǔ to see; to witness 瞄 miáo to aim at; to fix one's gaze on a target 瞅 chǒu (dial.) to look; to gaze 瞎 xiā to go blind; (of eyes) to lose the ability to see 瞒 mán to conceal the truth from others 瞩 zhǔ to gaze at; to fix one's eyes on 瞪 dèng to open one's eyes wide 瞻 zhān to look up or look forward

Stroke order

4 识 shí — to know; to recognize; to distinguish

识 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

4.1 讠 yán — speech/language radical

讠 is a component in 75 characters

HSK 1

认 rèn to recognize; to distinguish 识 shí to know; to recognize; to distinguish 话 huà speech; spoken words; language 语 yǔ speech; words 说 shuō to express in words; to speak

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请 qǐng to request; to ask 读 dú to read aloud following written text 课 kè schoolwork; planned segmented instruction 谁 shéi who (interrogative pronoun) 谢 xiè to thank (reduplicated for emphasis)

HSK 2

让 ràng yield; give way to others when both parties need something 记 jì to memorize; to remember 诉 sù to tell, to express fully and unreservedly 词 cí word (the smallest free-standing unit of language, e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives) 试 shì to try; to attempt; to test informally

HSK 3

议 yì to discuss; to deliberate 讲 jiǎng to speak; to talk 该 gāi should; ought to 调 tiáo well-proportioned; harmonious

HSK 4

计 jì to calculate; to reckon 订 dìng to correct, to revise (errors in text) 讨 tǎo to launch a punitive expedition; to attack with troops 许 xǔ to permit; to allow 论 lùn to analyze and judge the reasoning of things

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证 zhèng to prove or verify with people, objects, or facts 评 píng critical comment or review article 诚 chéng sincere, genuine (of one's heart or intentions) 详 xiáng detailed and thorough (opposite of 略) 误 wù wrong; erroneous 谅 liàng to understand and forgive 谈 tán to speak or discuss 谊 yì friendship; friendly relations

HSK 5

罚 fá to punish someone for a mistake or crime 训 xùn to teach; to admonish 设 shè to arrange; to set up 访 fǎng to inquire; to investigate by questioning 诊 zhěn to examine a patient (to diagnose an illness)

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诗 shī poetry; poem (a literary form expressing emotion through rhythmic language) 询 xún to inquire, to seek opinions 谨 jǐn cautious; careful

HSK 6

讯 xùn to inquire 讶 yà (lit.) to be surprised; to wonder at 诞 dàn to be born; to give birth 诸 zhū all, many, various 诺 nuò an exclamation of agreement, similar to 'yes' or 'okay'

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谐 xié harmonious; well-coordinated 谓 wèi to say; to tell 谦 qiān humble, modest

HSK 7

狱 yù prison; jail 蔼 ǎi friendly, amiable 讥 jī to mock, to satirize 讳 huì to avoid mentioning; to taboo speaking of something 讹 é erroneous; untrue

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讼 sòng to litigate; to take a case to court 讽 fěng to satirize, mock, or admonish with cutting innuendo 诀 jué mnemonic rhyme or phrase summarizing key points of a subject 诈 zhà to deceive; to swindle 诠 quán to explain; to interpret 诡 guǐ deceitful, cunning 诧 chà to be astonished; to feel surprised 诫 jiè to warn; to admonish 诬 wū to falsely accuse; to slander with fabricated facts 诱 yòu to guide; to counsel 诵 sòng read aloud; recite with intonation 诽 fěi to slander; to speak ill of others without basis 谋 móu plan; stratagem; scheme 谍 dié (lit.) to secretly gather intelligence on military, political, or economic matters 谎 huǎng lie; falsehood 谜 mí riddle; enigmatic puzzle phrased in words for guessing 谣 yáo folk song; improvised rhyme sung without accompaniment 谤 bàng (lit.) to denounce and publicize others' faults 谬 miù erroneous; mistaken 谱 pǔ a chart, table, or book compiled by category or system 谴 qiǎn to reproach; to reprimand 辩 biàn to debate; to argue about right and wrong or truth and falsehood

4.2 只 zhǐ — only; nothing else besides

Xpinyin

只 is a component in 5 characters

HSK 1

识 shí to know; to recognize; to distinguish

HSK 4

积 jī to accumulate gradually 职 zhí duty; responsibility; what one is obliged to do

HSK 5

织 zhī to weave (cloth or garments from silk, hemp, cotton, wool, etc.)

HSK 7

帜 zhì flag; banner

Stroke order