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March 24, 2026
岐qí(Qi2)
The character 岐 (qí) primarily means 'to diverge' or 'to branch,' often used in contexts describing roads or paths that split apart. It can also refer to the name of a mountain, or be used as a surname, particularly in certain regions of China. This character is commonly found in place names, indicating geographical features.
Strokes7Radical山Frequency#28295DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The character 岐 is associated with several mountains in China, which often hold cultural significance, such as being sites for spiritual practices or historical events. For example, Qishan Mountain is linked to various legends and is a popular destination for tourists.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tree with branches that diverge into two paths, representing 岐 (qí). The radical 岗 (mountain) hints at its connection to the name of a mountain, while the sound 'qí' can remind you of 'key,' as in the key to understanding branching paths.
Meanings of 岐
qí(Qi2)
1to diverge, to branch; the name of a mountain
2also used in place names
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 岐
岐Simplified
7Strokes
山Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 岐
Podcast: 岐
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AI Study Notes for 岐
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 岐 with similar-sounding characters. It's used more in literary or geographical contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 岐路 (divergent paths) and 岐山 (Qishan Mountain).
HSK Study Tips
While 岐 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, studying it can enhance understanding of place names and geographical terms you might encounter. Focus on recognizing it in context and differentiating it from phonetically similar characters.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly pronounce 岐 as 'jī' instead of 'qí', confusing it with other characters. It's important to remember the rising tone to convey the correct meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 岐
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Etymology of 岐
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 支 represents the sound.
岐 = 山 + 支. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 岐
IDS Structure⿰山支
岐Full Character
=
山Shan1
left
支Zhi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 岐?
How to say to diverge, to branch; the name of a mountain in Chinese
“to diverge, to branch; the name of a mountain” in Chinese is岐qí
The character 岐 (qí) primarily means 'to diverge' or 'to branch,' often used in contexts describing roads or paths that split apart. It can also refer to the name of a mountain, or be used as a surname, particularly in certain regions of China. This character is commonly found in place names, indicating geographical features.
When to use 岐
Learners often confuse 岐 with similar-sounding characters. It's used more in literary or geographical contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 岐路 (divergent paths) and 岐山 (Qishan Mountain).
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly pronounce 岐 as 'jī' instead of 'qí', confusing it with other characters. It's important to remember the rising tone to convey the correct meaning.
Write 岐
岐
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Word Family of 岐
Words Containing This Character6
岐qísurname Qi
王岐山Wang Qishan (1948-), PRC politician
岐山Qishan County in Baoji 寶雞|宝鸡[Bǎojī], Shaanxi
岐山县Qishan County in Baoji 寶雞|宝鸡[Bǎojī], Shaanxi岐山縣
岐阜县Gifu prefecture, Japan岐阜縣
赵岐Zhao Qi (-201 BC), early Han commentator on Mencius 孟子[Mèngzǐ]趙岐
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 岐
What does 王岐山 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 岐
Common phrases include 岐路 (qí lù) meaning 'divergent paths' and 岐山 (qí shān) referring to Qishan Mountain.
The correct pronunciation is 'qí' with a rising tone, similar to how you would say 'key' but with a higher pitch.
No, 岐 is more often seen in written texts, especially in literary or geographical contexts, rather than in everyday spoken language.
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