志

誌

zhì

士 + 心

Definitions

zhì (noun) aspiration; ambition; will

zhì (noun) record; annals

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 之 represents the sound. In simplified Chinese 志 is also used to mean "write down, record", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 誌.

About

志 is a phonosemantic compound: the heart radical 心 provides the meaning of mind or inner disposition, while the top component, a simplified form of 之 (zhī), supplies the sound. This structure evokes a concentrated mind, giving the character its primary senses of will, aspiration, and determination. In simplified Chinese, 志 also replaces the traditional character 誌, adding the meaning "to record" or "chronicle".

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

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 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 Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我买了一本杂志。

Wǒ mǎi le yī běn zázhì.

I bought a magazine.

他有远大的志向。

Tā yǒu yuǎndà de zhìxiàng.

He has great ambitions.

这孩子很有志气。

Zhè háizi hěn yǒu zhìqì.

This child is very ambitious.

我的志愿是当医生。

Wǒ de zhìyuàn shì dāng yīshēng.

My aspiration is to become a doctor.

这个标志很醒目。

Zhège biāozhì hěn xǐngmù.

This sign is very eye-catching.

他立志要考上大学。

Tā lìzhì yào kǎo shàng dàxué.

He is determined to get into university.

他志在科学研究。

Tā zhì zài kēxué yánjiū.

He aims at scientific research.

这本志书记载了历史。

Zhè běn zhìshū jìzǎi le lìshǐ.

This record book documents history.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 士

Component: 心

Example Words