歧

qí
支 + 止

Definitions

qí (adjective) divergent; branching
qí (noun) side road

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 止 represents the meaning and 支 represents the sound.

Semantic: 止 Phonetic: 支

About

歧 is a phono-semantic compound with the radical 止 (zhǐ), originally depicting a foot, on the left, providing the semantic context of movement. The right component 支 (zhī) serves as the phonetic marker. The character literally means a fork or branch in a path where a single route divides. From this concrete image of divergence, its meaning extended to abstract concepts, describing splits in opinions, ideas, or understandings. This association with divergence underlies its common use in words denoting discrepancies, disagreements, or discrimination, all highlighting a departure from a unified standard.

Example Sentences Hide

他反对种族歧视。

Tā fǎnduì zhǒngzú qíshì.

He opposes racial discrimination.

我们在歧路口分手。

Wǒmen zài qílù kǒu fēnshǒu.

We parted ways at the fork in the road.

他们之间有一些分歧。

Tāmen zhī jiān yǒu yīxiē fēnqí.

There are some differences between them.

这句话的歧义很多。

Zhè jù huà de qíyì hěn duō.

This sentence has a lot of ambiguity.

他年轻时误入歧途。

Tā niánqīng shí wù rù qítú.

He went astray when he was young.

避免歧义是写作的重要原则。

Bìmiǎn qíyì shì xiězuò de zhòngyào yuánzé.

Avoiding ambiguity is an important principle in writing.

双方的分歧导致谈判破裂。

Shuāngfāng de fēnqí dǎozhì tánpò pòliè.

The differences between the two sides led to the breakdown of negotiations.

社会上的歧视现象需要长期努力才能消除。

Shèhuì shàng de qíshì xiànxiàng xūyào chángqī nǔlì cáinéng xiāochú.

Discriminatory phenomena in society require long-term efforts to eliminate.

Related Characters

Component: 支

技 鼓 枝 翅 肢 妓 吱 伎 岐 庋 芰 豉 忮 跂

Component: 止

此 正 步 企 武 止 肯 址 扯 耻 涩 趾 芷 祉

Example Words

歧路 分歧 歧见 歧视 歧途 歧义