Definitions

zhí (adjective) straight; vertical
zhí (adjective) straightforward; frank
zhí (verb) to straighten
zhí (adjective) fair; reasonable

Etymology

Pictograph of a straight line coming from the eye, to depict looking straight at something. The purpose of the stroke at the bottom is unclear.

About

is a pictograph of an eye () with a straight line above it, depicting a direct line of sight; the purpose of the bottom stroke remains unclear. This conveys the core meaning of being physically straight. Over time, the sense broadened to describe direct, straightforward actions, and later came to represent moral uprightness, honest, just, and candid behavior.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 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 Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
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 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条路很

Zhè tiáo lù hěn zhí.

This road is very straight.

我一很忙。

Wǒ yīzhí hěn máng.

I am always busy.

往前走。

Qǐng zhí wǎng qián zǒu.

Please go straight ahead.

接回家了。

Tā zhíjiē huí jiā le.

He went home directly.

他性格爽。

Tā xìnggé zhíshuǎng.

He has a frank personality.

降落很危险。

Chuízhí jiàngluò hěn wēixiǎn.

Vertical landing is very dangerous.

我一想学习中文。

Wǒ yīzhí xiǎng xuéxí Zhōngwén.

I have always wanted to learn Chinese.

他的回答非常接。

Tā de huídá fēicháng zhíjiē.

His answer is very direct.