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咫尺 (zhǐ chě) — very close (in distance), within easy reach; (literary) a short distance

Definition

Literary/measure term for a very short distance, almost always appearing in set phrases like 近在咫尺 or 咫尺之遥 rather than standing alone. Use it in writing to convey poetic closeness.

verb
very close (in distance)within easy reach(literary) a short distance

Examples

  • ，。
    Liǎng jiā jìn zài zhǐ chě, zǒu lù wǔ fēn zhōng jiù dào le.
    The two families are within a foot's reach; it takes only five minutes to walk there.
  • 咫尺，。
    Suī rán wǒ men zhǐ chě xiāng jù, què gǎn jué xiàng tiān yá yí yàng yuǎn.
    Although we are physically very close, it feels as distant as the ends of the earth.
  • 咫尺，。
    Chéng gōng jiù zài zhǐ chě zhī yáo, zài jiān chí yí xià.
    Success is just within a short reach — hold on a little longer.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

咫zhǐ咫, a short length unit
尺chǐfoot

“咫” and “尺” are short length units, so together they describe something very close.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
尺尺chǐruler; measuring stick
Sound part声符shēngfú
只
只zhī咫zhǐ
Same sound today

咫 pairs 尺, a ruler or measuring stick, with 只 as the sound part.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape is thought to picture a hand with the thumb and middle finger spread apart, like a natural ruler for measuring length.

Open 尺 →
Appears in
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