栖

棲

qī, xī

木 + 西

Definitions

qī (verb) to perch; to rest (of birds)

qī (verb) to dwell; to live; to stay

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 西 represents the sound. Simplified form of 棲.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 西

About

The traditional form 棲 is a phonosemantic compound: the tree radical 木 (mù) carries the meaning, while 妻 (qī) provides the sound. In the simplified 栖, the phonetic 妻 is replaced by 西 (xī), leaving the tree radical intact on the left. The original meaning was birds landing or roosting in trees, and later the character came to refer to human dwellings and temporary lodging, as well as the general act of inhabiting or residing somewhere. The 木 radical continues to suggest the idea of settling or resting in a physical place.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

鸟儿栖息在树枝上。

Niǎo er qīxī zài shùzhī shàng.

The birds perch on the branch.

许多动物栖息在这片森林里。

Xǔduō dòngwù qīxī zài zhè piàn sēnlín lǐ.

Many animals inhabit this forest.

他为一家公司提供栖身之所。

Tā wèi yī jiā gōngsī tígōng qīshēn zhī suǒ.

He provides shelter for a company.

青蛙是典型的两栖动物。

Qīngwā shì diǎnxíng de liǎngqī dòngwù.

The frog is a typical amphibian.

战争迫使难民四处栖居。

Zhànzhēng pòshǐ nànmín sìchù qījū.

The war forced refugees to settle everywhere.

这个山洞曾是古人的栖居地。

Zhège shāndòng céng shì gǔrén de qījū dì.

This cave was once a dwelling place for ancient people.

保护区是野生动物的重要栖息地。

Bǎohù qū shì yěshēng dòngwù de zhòngyào qīxī dì.

The nature reserve is an important habitat for wild animals.

他过着一种栖栖遑遑、居无定所的生活。

Tā guòzhe yī zhǒng xīxī huánghuáng, jū wú dìng suǒ de shēnghuó.

He lives a restless and unsettled life with no fixed abode.

Related Characters

Component: 木

Component: 西

栖