吱

zhī, zī
口 + 支

Definitions

zhī (onomatopoeia) (onom.) creaking; groaning
zī (onomatopoeia) (onom.) squeak (of mice); chirp (of birds)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 支 represents the sound.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 支

About

The character 吱 is a phono-semantic compound: the 口 (mouth) radical on the left signals that it relates to sound or vocalization, while the component 支 on the right indicates the pronunciation, "zhi" or "zi". It is primarily used as an onomatopoeia for sharp, high-pitched, brief noises, such as the squeaking of mice or rats, the chirping of insects, or the creaking of a door hinge or floorboard under pressure. Additionally, it can describe the act of making a short, quiet sound while speaking.

Example Sentences Hide

老鼠吱吱叫。

Lǎoshǔ zhīzhī jiào.

The mouse squeaks.

门吱吱地响了。

Mén zhīzhī de xiǎng le.

The door creaked.

小鸟在树上吱吱叫。

Xiǎo niǎo zài shù shàng zhīzhī jiào.

The little bird chirps in the tree.

他吱声表示同意。

Tā zhī shēng biǎoshì tóngyì.

He made a sound to show agreement.

旧椅子一动就吱吱作响。

Jiù yǐzi yī dòng jiù zhīzhī zuò xiǎng.

The old chair creaks as soon as it is moved.

听到吱吱声，我知道有老鼠。

Tīng dào zhīzhī shēng, wǒ zhīdào yǒu lǎoshǔ.

Hearing the squeaking sound, I knew there was a mouse.

齿轮转动时发出吱吱的声音。

Chǐlún zhuàndòng shí fāchū zhīzhī de shēngyīn.

The gear makes a squeaking sound when rotating.

每当夜深人静，那扇老门就会吱呀一声打开。

Měi dāng yè shēn rén jìng, nà shàn lǎo mén jiù huì zhīyā yī shēng dǎkāi.

Whenever it's late at night and quiet, that old door will open with a creak.

Related Characters

Component: 口

中 和 可 后 如 同 只 知 高 问 向 或 加 合

Component: 支

技 鼓 枝 翅 歧 肢 妓 伎 岐 庋 芰 豉 忮 跂

Example Words

吱声 咯吱 嘎吱 吱吱声 吱呀