How to Write 己 (jǐ)
Detailed Mastery Guide for 己
The character 己 (Traditional: 己) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Self / Own". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 3-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.
Writing & Recognition
Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Pronouns & Royalty, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.
Key Vocabulary
Radical Breakdown
Breaking it down: The character 己 is built on the radical 己 (49). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.
Etymology & Origins
A pictograph of a rope with knots, representing the self or the sixth heavenly stem.
Example Sentence
Simplified: 人贵有自知之明，要懂得反省自己。
Rén guì yǒu zìzhīzhīmíng, yào dǒngdé fǎnxǐng zìjǐ.
Traditional: 人貴有自知之明，要懂得反省自己。
Jan4 gwai3 jau5 zi6 zi1 zi1 ming4, jiu3 dung2 dak1 faan2 sing2 zi6 gei2.
"It is a virtue for a person to have self-knowledge and know how to reflect on oneself."
Dialect Pronunciation
In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as jǐ. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is gei2. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.
Practice & Retention
To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.
Quick Self-Check
What is the meaning of '己'?
Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 2
Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!
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