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之 (zhī) — (literary, possessive particle) equivalent to 的; (literary, object pronoun) him, her, it; (literary, demonstrative) this

Definition

A literary particle that takes the place of 的 (possession), 他/她/它 (object pronoun), or 这/那 (demonoun) in formal writing. Sibling 之 at HSK 7 is a different word — this HSK 4 row is the function-word 之 seen in phrases like 中国之美, 处置之, 之后.

particle
(literary, possessive particle) equivalent to 的(literary, object pronoun) himherit(literary, demonstrative) this
Easily confused

Examples

  • 之。
    Zhōng guó zhī měi ràng rén jīng tàn.
    The beauty of China is breathtaking.
  • ，之。
    Zhè xiē wèn tí, wǒ men yìng rèn zhēn chǔ lǐ zhī.
    We should handle these problems carefully.
  • ，。
    zhī Hòu, wǒ men zài shāng liang.
    After this, we will discuss it again.

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.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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