系
Character learning workspace

xì / jì · system

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 5HSK 3.0 · Level 5Frequency #1415
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Learn every stroke in 系

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

系 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

xì

to connect; to relate to; to tie up; system

关系guān xì · relation
jì

to tie; to fasten; to button up

系上jì shang · to tie on
Step-by-step explorer

See how 系 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

7Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

糸Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 系 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 系

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

xiWords pronounced xi
xìto connect; to relate to; to tie up; system
jìto tie; to fasten; to button up
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 系 sits in each complete thought.

Méi guān xì, yǐ hòu bú zhè me shuō jiù hǎo le.没关系,以后不这么说就好了。

It's fine, just make sure you don't say that again.

Source: Tatoeba #1182071 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Méi guān xì! wǒ lái zuò!没关系!我来做!

Don't worry. I'll do it.

Source: Tatoeba #347570 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā xì shàng le lǐng dài.他系上了领带。

He put on a tie.

Source: Tatoeba #8748586 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bù xiǎng zài hé tā men lián xì le.我不想再和他们联系了。

I don't want to contact them anymore.

Source: Tatoeba #9989897 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ shì bú huì xì lǐng dài de.我是不会系领带的。

I won't be wearing a tie.

Source: Tatoeba #3671667 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Méi guān xì, wǒ kě yǐ děng.没关系,我可以等。

It's all right. I can wait.

Source: Tatoeba #2303393 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 系 in context

  1. Say xì / jì, then recall the core meaning: system.
  2. Write all 7 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 没关系 (méi guān xi), meaning “it doesn't matter”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 系 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.