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巳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
巳sìthe hours from 9 to 11; 6th terrestrial branchmg, 3 strokes, radical 巳, rank #32250, Very Hard
巳sì6th earthly branch: 9-11 a.m., 4th solar month (5th May-5th June), year of the Snakeunknown, 3 strokes, radical 巳, rank #32250, Very Hard
巳sìancient Chinese compass point: 150°unknown, 3 strokes, radical 巳, rank #32250, Very Hard
sì(si4) T4
  1. 1the hours from 9 to 11; 6th terrestrial branch
  2. 26th earthly branch: 9-11 a.m., 4th solar month (5th May-5th June), year of the Snake
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March 24, 2026

巳sì(si4)

The character 巳 (sì) represents a specific time period in the traditional Chinese time-keeping system, referring to the hours from 9 to 11 a.m. It is also known as the 6th terrestrial branch, associated with the year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac and the 4th solar month. This character is often used in contexts related to astrology, timekeeping, and cultural references.

Strokes3Radical巳Frequency#32250DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the hours denoted by 巳 are significant for daily activities and rituals. The association with the Snake in the zodiac also reflects cultural beliefs about personality traits and fortune during the year of the Snake, influencing decisions and celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a snake (which represents the zodiac sign associated with 巳) slithering around a clock at 9 a.m. This visual helps connect the character's form with its meaning — the snake is 'visiting' during the hours of 巳. The character has a simple form, which can be seen as a winding snake, echoing the time it represents.

Meanings of 巳

sì(si4)
1the hours from 9 to 11; 6th terrestrial branch
26th earthly branch: 9-11 a.m., 4th solar month (5th May-5th June), year of the Snake
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 巳

巳Simplified
3Strokes
巳Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 巳

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Podcast: 巳

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AI Study Notes for 巳

Usage Notes

When using 巳, it's essential to remember that it is often found in more formal or traditional contexts, such as astrology or ancient texts. Learners might confuse it with similar characters, so be mindful of the specific meanings associated with each terrestrial branch. Additionally, the tone is critical — ensure to pronounce it with the fourth tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstanding.

HSK Study Tips

Although 巳 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other time-related characters like 时 (shí, time) and 分 (fēn, minute). Students should focus on understanding its use in traditional contexts and how it fits into the zodiac and time system, enhancing their cultural literacy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 巳 with other terrestrial branches like 午 (wǔ, noon) due to similar pronunciation or context. It's important to remember that 巳 specifically refers to the hours from 9 to 11 a.m., not to be interchanged with other time designations.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 巳

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Etymology of 巳

Decomposition of 巳

IDS Structure⿻乚?
巳Full Character
=
乚gou1
outer
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 巳?

How to say the hours from 9 to 11; 6th terrestrial branch in Chinese

“the hours from 9 to 11; 6th terrestrial branch” in Chinese is巳sì

The character 巳 (sì) represents a specific time period in the traditional Chinese time-keeping system, referring to the hours from 9 to 11 a.m. It is also known as the 6th terrestrial branch, associated with the year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac and the 4th solar month. This character is often used in contexts related to astrology, timekeeping, and cultural references.

When to use 巳

When using 巳, it's essential to remember that it is often found in more formal or traditional contexts, such as astrology or ancient texts. Learners might confuse it with similar characters, so be mindful of the specific meanings associated with each terrestrial branch. Additionally, the tone is critical — ensure to pronounce it with the fourth tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstanding.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 巳 with other terrestrial branches like 午 (wǔ, noon) due to similar pronunciation or context. It's important to remember that 巳 specifically refers to the hours from 9 to 11 a.m., not to be interchanged with other time designations.

Write 巳

巳

Practice writing 巳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 巳

Words Containing This Character7
巳sìancient Chinese compass point: 150°
乙巳forty-second year B6 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1965 or 2025
辛巳eighteenth year H6 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2001 or 2061
丁巳fifty-fourth year D6 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1977 or 2037
癸巳thirtieth year J6 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2013 or 2073
己巳sixth year F6 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1989 or 2049
巳时9-11 am (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)巳時
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 巳

What does 乙巳 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 巳

In modern usage, 巳 is primarily found in traditional contexts, such as astrology or historical texts, rather than in everyday conversation.

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