窒 (zhì) — (bound form) to block, to obstruct, to suffocate

Definition

Bound form meaning 'to block / suffocate / stifle' — never used alone. Combines with 息 (窒息 suffocate), 塞 (窒塞 blockage), and 抑 (窒抑 stifled).

bound form

to blockto obstructto suffocate

Easily confused

。
zhì Xī kě néng wēi jí shēng mìng.
Suffocation can endanger life.
窒。
Guǎn dào zhì sè dǎo zhì pái shuǐ bú chàng.
The pipe blockage causes poor drainage.
窒。
Nà zhǒng qì fen ràng rén gǎn dào zhì yì.
That atmosphere makes people feel stifled.

Sound + meaning

六书liùshū

形声xíngshēng

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

穴至窒

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

至

Same sound today

窒 combines 穴, a hole or cave, with 至, which gives the sound.