Definitions

(verb) to perch; to rest (of birds)
(verb) to dwell; to live; to stay

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic: 西

About

The character "栖" derives from its traditional form "棲", which combines the semantic radical "木" for tree with the phonetic component "妻". The simplified form "栖" replaces the phonetic element with "西", altering the structural composition while maintaining the same pronunciation. Originally denoting the specific action of birds perching on trees, the character's meaning gradually extended to encompass broader concepts of dwelling, inhabitation, or temporary residence, with the tree radical consistently providing the semantic link to places associated with resting or living.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

鸟儿息在树枝上。

Niǎo er qīxī zài shùzhī shàng.

The birds perch on the branch.

许多动物息在这片森林里。

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.

青蛙是典型的两动物。

Qīngwā shì diǎnxíng de liǎngqī dòngwù.

The frog is a typical amphibian.

战争迫使难民四处居。

Zhànzhēng pòshǐ nànmín sìchù qījū.

The war forced refugees to settle everywhere.

这个山洞曾是古人的居地。

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.