HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
哲
zhé
wise
HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
哲
zhé
(used in given names)
HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
哲
zhé
wise, sagacious; wise man; philosopher
HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12820, Hard
zhé(zhe2) T2
1philosophy
2wise
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
哲zhé(zhe2)
The character 哲 (zhé) refers to wisdom and philosophy. It is often used to describe a person who is wise or sagacious, and it can also denote philosophical concepts. Common usage includes discussions about wisdom in life or the study of philosophy.
Strokes10Radical口Frequency#12820DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, and philosophers like Confucius are revered. The character 哲 often appears in names, symbolizing a wish for wisdom and insight in one's life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old philosopher sitting under a tree, deep in thought. The character 哲 resembles a wise person (the top part) contemplating life (the bottom part). The pronunciation 'zhé' sounds like 'jerk,' but you want to remember a wise philosopher, not a jerk!
Meanings of 哲
zhé(zhe2)
1philosophy
2wise
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 哲
哲Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12820Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 哲
Podcast: 哲
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AI Study Notes for 哲
Quick Contrast
智 (zhì) refers specifically to intelligence or cleverness, while 哲 (zhé) emphasizes wisdom and philosophical insight.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old philosopher sitting under a tree, deep in thought. The character 哲 resembles a wise person (the top part) contemplating life (the bottom part). The pronunciation 'zhé' sounds like 'jerk,' but you want to remember a wise philosopher, not a jerk!
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 哲 (zhé) with other characters that sound similar but have different meanings. This character is more formal and is often found in literary or academic contexts. Common collocations include 哲学 (philosophy) and 明哲 (wise and insightful).
HSK Study Tips
Although 哲 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes in higher-level vocabulary related to philosophy and wisdom. Focus on understanding its usage in philosophical discussions to enhance comprehension of related terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, and philosophers like Confucius are revered. The character 哲 often appears in names, symbolizing a wish for wisdom and insight in one's life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哲 (zhé) with other characters like 哲理 (zhélǐ, meaning philosophical principle), leading to incorrect usage. Ensure you use 哲 specifically when referring to wisdom or philosophy.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哲
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Grammar Patterns of 哲
哲 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). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In the Middle Ages, philosophy and theology were inextricable.
4
这位哲人是百代之师.
zhè wèi zhé rén shì bǎi dài zhī shī.
The sage is the instructor of a hundred ages.
Cultural Notes for 哲
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, and philosophers like Confucius are revered. The character 哲 often appears in names, symbolizing a wish for wisdom and insight in one's life.
Word Family of 哲
Words Containing This Character9
哲学zhéxuéphilosophy哲學
哲zhéwise
哲学家philosopher哲學家
哲理philosophy
哲人wise man
范思哲Versace (fashion designer)
明哲保身a wise man looks after his own hide (idiom)
麦哲伦Magellan (1480-1521), Portuguese explorer麥哲倫
李哲Li Zhe, personal name of fourth Tang Emperor Zhongzong 唐中宗[TángZhōngzōng] (656-710), reigned 705-710
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 哲学 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 哲
哲 means wisdom and is often associated with philosophy.
It is commonly used in given names to symbolize wisdom and sagacity.
While it can be used, it's more common in formal or literary contexts.
