咨

諮

zī

口 + 次

Definitions

zī (verb) to consult; to seek advice

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 次 represents the sound.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 次

About

咨 is a phonosemantic compound formed by the mouth radical 口 at the bottom and the sound component 次 on top. 口 signals that the character relates to speech and vocalization, while 次 (cì) provides the pronunciation zī. In its earliest usage, the character referred to making inquiries or seeking advice, often in an official or administrative context. It later developed a secondary meaning of a sigh or exclamation of distress, both meanings naturally arising from the mouth radical.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

你可以咨询老师。

Nǐ kěyǐ zīxún lǎoshī.

You can consult the teacher.

他经常咨询专家意见。

Tā jīngcháng zīxún zhuānjiā yìjiàn.

He often consults expert opinions.

我们需要咨询法律问题。

Wǒmen xūyào zīxún fǎlǜ wèntí.

We need to consult on legal issues.

政府发布了年度咨文。

Zhèngfǔ fābù le niándù zīwén.

The government released the annual message.

咨询过程需要耐心和时间。

Zīxún guòchéng xūyào nàixīn hé shíjiān.

The consultation process requires patience and time.

在做出决定前，最好先咨询一下。

Zài zuòchū juédìng qián, zuìhǎo xiān zīxún yīxià.

Before making a decision, it's best to consult first.

该公司提供免费的专业咨询服务。

Gāi gōngsī tígōng miǎnfèi de zhuānyè zīxún fúwù.

This company provides free professional consulting services.

通过咨询各方意见，我们制定了更完善的计划。

Tōngguò zīxún gèfāng yìjiàn, wǒmen zhìdìng le gèng wánshàn de jìhuà.

By consulting opinions from all parties, we developed a more comprehensive plan.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 口

Component: 次

咨