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March 24, 2026
矶(磯)jī(ji1)
The character 矶 (jī) primarily refers to a jetty or reef, structures that extend into a body of water to protect the shore or provide docking space for boats. It can also describe an eddy, a circular current of water, emphasizing its connection to coastal or marine environments.
Strokes7Radical石Frequency#9556DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In coastal regions of China, jetties are essential for fishing and trade, reflecting the historical reliance on maritime resources. The construction and maintenance of these structures are deeply intertwined with local livelihoods and traditions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rocky jetty (the form of the character) where fishermen gather. The radical 石 (stone) hints at the rocky nature of a jetty, while the sound 'jī' can remind you of the 'G' in 'jetty', creating a vivid image of a sturdy structure by the water.
Meanings of 矶
jī(ji1)
1jetty, reef; breakwater, eddy
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 矶 means.
About 矶
矶Simplified
磯Traditional
7Strokes
石Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 矶
Podcast: 矶
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AI Study Notes for 矶
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 矶 with similar-sounding words or characters related to water. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about marine geography or architecture. Common collocations include '渔港矶' (fishing port jetty).
HSK Study Tips
While 矶 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding this character can enhance your grasp of marine-related terminology. Students should focus on the radicals and their meanings, as well as similar characters related to water.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 矶 with the character 岸 (àn), which means 'bank' or 'shore'. A common error is using 矶 to describe any shoreline feature, while it specifically refers to jetties or reefs.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 矶
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Etymology of 矶
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 几 represents the sound. Simplified form of 磯.
矶 = 石 + 几. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 矶
IDS Structure⿰石几
矶Full Character
=
石dan4
left
几ji1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 矶?
How to say jetty, reef; breakwater, eddy in Chinese
“jetty, reef; breakwater, eddy” in Chinese is矶jī
The character 矶 (jī) primarily refers to a jetty or reef, structures that extend into a body of water to protect the shore or provide docking space for boats. It can also describe an eddy, a circular current of water, emphasizing its connection to coastal or marine environments.
When to use 矶
Learners often confuse 矶 with similar-sounding words or characters related to water. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about marine geography or architecture. Common collocations include '渔港矶' (fishing port jetty).
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 矶 with the character 岸 (àn), which means 'bank' or 'shore'. A common error is using 矶 to describe any shoreline feature, while it specifically refers to jetties or reefs.
Write 矶
矶
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Practice writing 矶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 矶
矶 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
洛杉____穷人的境况仍未得到改善。
Conditions for the poor in Los Angeles have not improved.
Example Sentences for 矶 (10)
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1
洛杉矶穷人的境况仍未得到改善。
luò shān jī qióng rén de jìng kuàng réng wèi dé dào gǎi shàn。
Conditions for the poor in Los Angeles have not improved.
