寄

jì

奇 + 宀

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

jì (verb) to send; to mail

jì (verb) to entrust; to depend on

jì (verb) to lodge; to stay temporarily

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 奇 represents the sound.

Semantic: 宀 Phonetic: 奇

About

The character 寄 is a phono-semantic compound with the upper radical 宀 (roof) indicating a connection to shelter or a dwelling, and the lower component 奇 providing its pronunciation. Its original meaning referred to lodging or staying temporarily as a guest, which explains the use of the roof radical. This concept of placing something in another's care gradually expanded to encompass entrusting objects or messages for delivery, leading to the modern meanings of mailing, sending, or dispatching items.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我今天寄了一封信。

Wǒ jīntiān jìle yī fēng xìn.

I mailed a letter today.

他寄给我一个包裹。

Tā jì gěi wǒ yīgè bāoguǒ.

He sent me a package.

我把希望寄托在你身上。

Wǒ bǎ xīwàng jìtuō zài nǐ shēnshàng.

I place my hopes on you.

寄生虫生活在宿主体内。

Jìshēngchóng shēnghuó zài sùzhǔ tǐnèi.

Parasites live inside the host's body.

他暂时寄居在朋友家。

Tā zànshí jìjū zài péngyǒu jiā.

He is temporarily staying at a friend's house.

我们寄予这个项目厚望。

Wǒmen jìyǔ zhège xiàngmù hòuwàng.

We have high hopes for this project.

如果你要寄快递，请填写运单。

Rúguǒ nǐ yào jì kuàidì, qǐng tiánxiě yùndān.

If you want to send express mail, please fill out the waybill.

在数字化时代，传统寄信方式逐渐减少。

Zài shùzìhuà shídài, chuántǒng jìxìn fāngshì zhújiàn jiǎnshǎo.

In the digital age, traditional letter mailing methods are gradually decreasing.

Related Characters

Component: 奇

Component: 宀

寄