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繫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
繫xìsystem; line, link, connectionx, 19 strokes, radical 糸, rank #87704, Very Hard
xì(xi4)xi T4
  1. 1system; line, link, connection
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March 24, 2026

繫xì(xi4)

The character 繫 (xì) primarily means 'to tie' or 'to connect.' It is often used in contexts involving systems or links, such as in technology or relationships. This character emphasizes the importance of connections in various aspects of life, from personal ties to complex systems.

Strokes19Radical糸Frequency#87704DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, connections and relationships are highly valued, often referred to as '关系' (guānxì), meaning 'relationship' or 'connections'. Understanding 繫 can enhance your grasp of social dynamics in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rope (the radical 糸, meaning 'thread') tying things together. Visualize a person tying a knot with the string to symbolize connections, reminding you that 'xì' sounds like 'see'—when you see the knot, you know things are linked.

Meanings of 繫

xì(xi4)
1system; line, link, connection
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 繫 means.

About 繫

繫Simplified
19Strokes
糸Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 繫

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Podcast: 繫

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AI Study Notes for 繫

Quick Contrast

系 (xì) vs 绑 (bǎng) — use 繫 when referring to connections or systems, while 绑 is more about physically tying or binding something.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 繫 (xì) with 系 (xì), which also means 'system' or 'to tie' but is more commonly used in everyday language. 繫 is often used in more technical or formal contexts. Remember to use the correct tone, as it is pronounced with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

Since 繫 is not officially included in HSK levels, focus on its components and similar characters like 系 (xì) for a deeper understanding of how connection is expressed in Mandarin. Recognizing the radical 糸 will help with memorizing and identifying related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 繫 with 系, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢这个系' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xì) instead of '我喜欢这个连接' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège liánjiē) can lead to miscommunication.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 繫

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Etymology of 繫

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a hand (又) holding a group of threads (糸) that are connected together (系).

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)糸
+
Phonetic (sound)毄
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

繫 = 糸 + 毄. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 繫

IDS Structure⿱毄糸
繫Full Character
=
毄ji1
top
糸mi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 繫?

How to say system; line, link, connection in Chinese

“system; line, link, connection” in Chinese is繫xì

The character 繫 (xì) primarily means 'to tie' or 'to connect.' It is often used in contexts involving systems or links, such as in technology or relationships. This character emphasizes the importance of connections in various aspects of life, from personal ties to complex systems.

When to use 繫

Be careful not to confuse 繫 (xì) with 系 (xì), which also means 'system' or 'to tie' but is more commonly used in everyday language. 繫 is often used in more technical or formal contexts. Remember to use the correct tone, as it is pronounced with a falling tone.

繫 or something close to it

系 (xì) vs 绑 (bǎng) — use 繫 when referring to connections or systems, while 绑 is more about physically tying or binding something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 繫 with 系, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢这个系' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xì) instead of '我喜欢这个连接' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège liánjiē) can lead to miscommunication.

Write 繫

繫

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

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Word Family of 繫

Words Containing This Character20
关系guānxìrelation關係
系统xìtǒngsystem系統
联系liánxìconnection聯繫
系jìto connect係
没关系méiguānxiit doesn't matter沒關係
体系tǐxìsystem體系
系列xìlièseries
一系列yíxìlièa series of
星系galaxy
系数factor係數
性关系sexual relations性關係
操作系统operating system操作系統
关系到relates to關係到
联系人contact (person)聯繫人
人际关系interpersonal relationship人際關系
信息系统information system信息系統
太阳系solar system太陽系
维系to maintain維繫
银河系Milky Way Galaxy銀河系
神经系统nervous system神經系統
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 繫

What does 关系 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 繫

The correct pronunciation is 'xì' with a falling tone.

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