窒

zhì

穴 + 至

Definitions

zhì to obstruct; to stop up

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 至 represents the sound.

Semantic: 穴 Phonetic: 至

About

窒 is a phonosemantic compound: the semantic radical 穴 (cave, hole, or enclosed space) provides the meaning, while 至, placed at the bottom, gives the sound. It originally denoted the physical act of blocking or stopping up a hole or passage, sealing an opening. This sense of obstruction extended to the cessation of breathing, so today 窒 primarily means to suffocate or smother, and metaphorically describes any situation, system, or creative process that is stifled or impeded.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

浓烟会导致窒息。

Nóng yān huì dǎozhì zhìxī.

Thick smoke can cause suffocation.

地下室空气窒闷。

Dìxiàshì kōngqì zhìmèn.

The basement air is stuffy.

管道被杂物窒塞了。

Guǎndào bèi záwù zhìsè le.

The pipe is blocked by debris.

这项规定窒碍了发展。

Zhè xiàng guīdìng zhì'àile fāzhǎn.

This regulation hinders development.

他的专制管理让员工感到窒息。

Tā de zhuānzhì guǎnlǐ ràng yuángōng gǎndào zhìxī.

His authoritarian management makes employees feel suffocated.

缺乏创新会窒塞公司的进步。

Quēfá chuàngxīn huì zhìsè gōngsī de jìnbù.

Lack of innovation will block the company's progress.

在高压环境下工作容易产生窒息感。

Zài gāoyā huánjìng xià gōngzuò róngyì chǎnshēng zhìxī gǎn.

Working in a high-pressure environment easily creates a sense of suffocation.

思想上的禁锢比肉体上的窒息更可怕。

Sīxiǎng shàng de jìngù bǐ ròutǐ shàng de zhìxī gèng kěpà.

Intellectual confinement is more terrifying than physical suffocation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 穴

Component: 至

窒