系 (xì) — (formal/classical) to be; to relate to

Definition

A formal/literary copula meaning 'is / is related to' (X系Y = X is Y). For everyday 'relate to', use 有关 or 关系 instead.

noun

(formal/classical) to beto relate to

Easily confused

系。
Zhè cì rèn wu xì yóu xiǎo wáng fù zé.
This task is Xiao Wang's responsibility.
系。
Tā chí dào de yuán yīn xì dǔ chē le.
The reason he was late is that there was a traffic jam.
系。
Zhè cì chéng gōng xì xiǎo zǔ hé zuò de jié guǒ.
This success is the result of teamwork.

Compound ideograph

六书liùshū

会意huìyì

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

系 is made by putting together 手 (hand) and 糸 (silk).

Appears in