(zhì) — (noun) quality; nature (of a thing or person); (noun) substance; matter; (noun) pledge; hostage

Definition

质 (zhì) is a formal noun for 'quality' or 'substance' — the inherent nature of a thing or person. Often combines with other nouns, as in 质量 (quality) or 质问 (to question).

noun
qualitynature (of a thing or person)substancematterpledgehostage

Examples

  • Zhè zhǒng dōng xī de zhì dì hěn yìng, shì hé zuò gōng jù.
    This kind of material's texture is very hard, suitable for making tools.
  • Tā bǎ fáng zi zuò wéi dài kuǎn de zhì yā.
    He used the house as a pledge for the loan.
  • Zhè ge rén de zhì zhì chéng shí kě kào, zhí dé xìn rèn.
    This person's character is honest and reliable, worthy of trust.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 質; 质 is its simplified writing.

  • yín
  • bèi

The traditional form 質 is made up of 貝 and 斦; this describes 質, not the simplified 质.

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