叽

嘰

jī

几 + 口

Definitions

jī (verb) chirp; twitter; squeak

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 几 represents the sound. Simplified form of 嘰.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 几

About

叽 is a phonosemantic compound: the component 口 ('mouth') signals the meaning of sounds made with the mouth, and 几 (simplified from 幾) supplies the pronunciation 'jī'. As an onomatopoeic character, it mimics high-pitched, repetitive noises, like the chirping of small birds and insects and the squeaking of objects. It also conveys the sound of low, indistinct, continuous human chatter. In compound words, it is used to describe people muttering complaints, grumbling under their breath, or speaking in hushed, rapid tones that are hard to discern.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

小鸟叽叽喳喳地叫。

Xiǎo niǎo jī jī zhā zhā de jiào.

The little birds are chirping noisily.

他叽咕着表示不满。

Tā jī gū zhe biǎoshì bùmǎn.

He muttered to show his dissatisfaction.

孩子们在院子里叽叽喳喳。

Háizimen zài yuànzi lǐ jī jī zhā zhā.

The children are chattering in the yard.

厨房里传来叽叽的响声。

Chúfáng lǐ chuán lái jī jī de xiǎngshēng.

A squeaking sound came from the kitchen.

她叽里咕噜地说着外语。

Tā jī lǐ gū lū de shuō zhe wàiyǔ.

She was babbling in a foreign language.

老鼠在夜晚叽叽地叫。

Lǎoshǔ zài yèwǎn jī jī de jiào.

Mice squeak during the night.

他老是叽叽歪歪地找借口。

Tā lǎo shì jī jī wāi wāi de zhǎo jièkǒu.

He is always whining and making excuses.

寒风吹过，旧门发出叽叽声。

Hánfēng chuī guò, jiù mén fāchū jī jī shēng.

The cold wind blew, and the old door made a creaking sound.

Related Characters

Component: 几

Component: 口

叽