Definitions

(noun) system; department
(verb) to connect; to relate to
(verb) to bind; to tie up; fasten
(verb) to tie; to fasten

Etymology

Pictograph of a hand () holding a group of threads () that are connected together ().

Semantic:

About

The character 系 is a pictograph representing bundles of silk threads hanging or tied together. Its upper part suggests connection, while the lower radical 糸 denotes fine silk or thread. From the imagery of physical binding, it developed meanings related to tying, fastening, or linking objects. This concept later expanded to encompass abstract ideas of systems, connections, and relationships. It is used to describe university departments, interconnected systems like the solar system, and the conceptual ties that form cohesive wholes.

Etymology Hide

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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

好安全带。

Qǐng xì hǎo ānquán dài.

Please fasten your seatbelt.

她是中文的学生。

Tā shì Zhōngwén xì de xuéshēng.

She is a student of the Chinese department.

这关到我们的安全。

Zhè guānxì dào wǒmen de ānquán.

This concerns our safety.

统需要更新。

Xìtǒng xūyào gēngxīn.

The system needs to be updated.

了一条红领带。

Tā xì le yī tiáo hóng lǐngdài.

He tied a red tie.

这两个事件有密切联

Zhè liǎng gè shìjiàn yǒu mìqiè liánxì.

These two events are closely related.

宇宙的星数量难以估量。

Yǔzhòu de xīngxì shùliàng nányǐ gūliàng.

The number of galaxies in the universe is hard to estimate.

这项研究涉及多个学科

Zhè xiàng yánjiū shèjí duō gè xuékē xì.

This research involves multiple academic departments.