Definitions

zhì (adjective) stagnant; sluggish; blocked
zhì (verb) to stagnate; to be held up; to lag behind

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "滞" evolved from its traditional form "滯", which combines the water radical "氵" with the phonetic element "帶" to suggest obstructed or sluggish water flow, reflecting its early association with physical stagnation. Over time, its meaning extended from describing hindered liquids to encompassing abstract forms of delay, such as in economic or cognitive contexts, where it denotes slowdowns or impediments. The structural modification to "滞", with "带" replacing "帶" as a simplified phonetic component, did not alter its core semantic link to concepts of blockage and inactivity, maintaining its etymological connection to arrested movement while adapting to written usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

交通已经停了。

Jiāotōng yǐjīng tíngzhì le.

Traffic has stagnated.

商品销很严重。

Shāngpǐn zhìxiāo hěn yánzhòng.

The goods are selling very poorly.

他因雨留在家。

Tā yīn yǔ zhìliú zài jiā.

He was stuck at home due to rain.

经济发展停不前。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn tíngzhì bù qián.

Economic development has stagnated.

水流淤导致污染。

Shuǐliú yūzhì dǎozhì wūrǎn.

Water flow congestion leads to pollution.

纳金会增加成本。

Zhìnàjīn huì zēngjiā chéngběn.

Late fees will increase costs.

由于管理不善,项目进度后了。

Yóuyú guǎnlǐ bù shàn, xiàngmù jìndù zhìhòu le.

Due to poor management, the project progress has lagged behind.

市场需求的突然变化使产品销情况加剧。

Shìchǎng xūqiú de tūrán biànhuà shǐ chǎnpǐn zhìxiāo qíngkuàng jiājù.

The sudden change in market demand has exacerbated the product's sluggish sales.