Definition
系 (xì) is a formal/literary verb meaning 'to be' or 'to relate to', used in written Chinese (e.g., news, official documents). It is much more formal than 是 (shì) and overlaps with 有关 (yǒuguān) and 涉及 (shèjí) in the sense of 'to relate to', but 系 is more classical and often acts as a copula ('is') in formal contexts.
noun
(formal/classical) to beto relate to
Easily confused
- 紧jǐnlook-alike(adjective) tight, tight-fitting (of clothes, shoes, etc.)
- 洗xǐsound-aliketo wash
- 累lèilook-aliketired (adjective)
- 西Xīsound-alikewest; the West
- 素sùlook-alike(noun) vegetarian food
- 吸xīsound-aliketo inhale, to breathe in
- 戏xìsound-alike(noun) drama; play; show (especially theatrical performance)
- 细xìsound-alikethin, slender
- 席xísound-alikewoven mat (e.g., bamboo or straw mat)
- 溪xīsound-alikecreek; rivulet
Examples
- 系。Zhè cì rènwu xì yóu Xiǎo Wáng fùzé.This task is Xiao Wang's responsibility.
- 系。Tā chídào de yuányīn xì dǔchē le.The reason he was late is that there was a traffic jam.
- 系。Zhè cì chénggōng xì xiǎozǔ hézuò de jiéguǒ.This success is the result of teamwork.
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