Definition
治 (zhì) is a versatile verb meaning 'to govern, treat, or control/harness' — it covers ruling a country, treating a disease, or controlling pests/rivers. 治理 (zhì lǐ) is more formal and specific to administration or management (e.g., governing a city, managing a river). 统治 (tǒng zhì) specifically means 'to rule' with political authority, often over a territory or people.
verb
to governto ruleto treat (a disease)to controlto harness (a river, a pest)
Easily confused
- 抬táilook-aliketo lift, to raise (one's head, hand, etc.)
- 只zhǐsound-alike(classifier) used for one of a pair of animals, objects, or body parts; also for boats, certain containers
- 胎tāilook-alike(noun) tire (loanword)
- 只zhǐsound-alikeonly, just, merely
- 之zhīsound-alike(literary, possessive particle) equivalent to 的
- 之zhīsound-alike(literary pronoun) him, her, it (used as object)
- 指zhǐsound-aliketo point at, to indicate, to show
- 支zhīsound-alikeclassifier for long, thin objects (pens, guns), army divisions, and songs/compositions
- 支zhīsound-aliketo prop up, to support
- 直zhísound-alike(adjective) straight; frank; fair
Examples
- 。Tā shànyú zhì guó.He is good at governing the country.
- 治。Zhè zhǒng yào kěyǐ zhì gǎnmào.This medicine can treat colds.
- 治。Tāmen zhì chóng hěn yǒu bànfǎ.They have effective ways to control pests.
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