Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
痣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
痣zhìspot, mole, birthmarkn, 12 strokes, radical 疒, rank #9438, Very Hard
zhì(zhi4) T4
  1. 1spot, mole, birthmark
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

痣zhì(zhi4)

The character 痣 (zhì) refers to a spot, mole, or birthmark on the skin. It is commonly used in medical contexts or when discussing personal appearance, especially when describing skin features that are often benign and natural. In some cultures, certain moles are believed to carry specific meanings or omens.

Strokes12Radical疒Frequency#9438DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, certain moles or birthmarks are often associated with fate or personality traits, and may be considered in fortune-telling practices. This belief highlights the cultural significance of physical appearance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'mole' (zhì) that has a distinct shape, resembling a tiny 'spot' on the skin. Picture a birthmark in the shape of a 'Z' to help remember both the pronunciation and the visual aspect of the character. The radical 疒 (sickness) hints at its medical context.

Meanings of 痣

zhì(zhi4)
1spot, mole, birthmark
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 痣

痣Simplified
12Strokes
疒Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 痣

JasonAmy

Podcast: 痣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 痣

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 痣 in informal conversations about personal attributes, as it can be seen as sensitive. Common collocations include 'birthmark' (胎痣) and 'mole' (黑痣). Ensure to use the correct tone; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstanding.

HSK Study Tips

Although 痣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other body-related vocabulary, such as 皮肤 (skin) and 疾病 (disease) at HSK Level 3. Focus on pronunciation and related vocabulary to expand your understanding of body descriptors.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 痣 with 斑 (bān), which means 'spot' in a broader sense, including spots that may not be moles. Remember, 痣 specifically refers to moles or birthmarks.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 痣

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 痣 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 痣

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

The mark 志 of an illness 疒; 志 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 痣

  1. 1The giveawayThe mark 志 of an illness 疒; 志 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 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 痣? 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 痣?

Decomposition of 痣

IDS Structure⿸疒志
痣Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
志zhi4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 痣?

How to say spot, mole, birthmark in Chinese

“spot, mole, birthmark” in Chinese is痣zhì

The character 痣 (zhì) refers to a spot, mole, or birthmark on the skin. It is commonly used in medical contexts or when discussing personal appearance, especially when describing skin features that are often benign and natural. In some cultures, certain moles are believed to carry specific meanings or omens.

When to use 痣

Be mindful of using 痣 in informal conversations about personal attributes, as it can be seen as sensitive. Common collocations include 'birthmark' (胎痣) and 'mole' (黑痣). Ensure to use the correct tone; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstanding.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 痣 with 斑 (bān), which means 'spot' in a broader sense, including spots that may not be moles. Remember, 痣 specifically refers to moles or birthmarks.

Write 痣

痣

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 痣

痣 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

同样, 凡是经常受慢性刺激的各种色素____切勿予以切除.

Similarly, any pigment nevus that is chronically irritated should be excised.

Example Sentences for 痣 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
同样, 凡是经常受慢性刺激的各种色素痣切勿予以切除.

tóng yàng, , fán shì jīng cháng shòu màn xìng cì jī de gè zhǒng sè sù zhì qiē wù yú yǐ qiē.

Similarly, any pigment nevus that is chronically irritated should be excised.

Word Family of 痣

Words Containing This Character4
痣zhìmole
黑痣mole
蜘蛛痣arterial spider
毛痣hairy nevus
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 痣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 痣

No, 痣 typically refers to benign spots on the skin, such as moles or birthmarks, and is not inherently negative.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 痣?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.