翟

dí, zhái

羽 + 隹

Definitions

dí surname Di; variant of 狄[dí], generic name for northern ethnic minorities during the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC-220 AD)

zhái surname Zhai

dí long-tail pheasant

Etymology

Pictograph of a pheasant with a plumed tail.

About

翟 began as a pictograph of a pheasant with a plumed tail. It is composed of 羽 (feathers) above 隹 (short-tailed bird), a structure that vividly suggests a bird with showy plumage. Historically, the character referred to a particular long-tailed pheasant, and its elegant feathers were used as props or ceremonial objects held by dancers in ancient rituals. Over time, these original meanings fell out of everyday use, and the character now primarily serves as a surname, pronounced Zhai or Di depending on the family line.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Western Zhou (1045-771 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

翟明是我的朋友。

Zhái Míng shì wǒ de péngyou.

Zhai Ming is my friend.

翟先生在北京工作。

Zhái xiānsheng zài Běijīng gōngzuò.

Mr. Zhai works in Beijing.

我们邀请了翟教授参加会议。

Wǒmen yāoqǐng le Zhái jiàoshòu cānjiā huìyì.

We invited Professor Zhai to attend the meeting.

翟家的花园非常漂亮。

Zhái jiā de huāyuán fēichāng piàoliang.

The Zhai family's garden is very beautiful.

翟志刚是中国著名的宇航员。

Zhái Zhìgāng shì Zhōngguó zhùmíng de yǔhángyuán.

Zhai Zhigang is a famous Chinese astronaut.

关于翟姓的历史有很多研究。

Guānyú Zhái xìng de lìshǐ yǒu hěn duō yánjiū.

There is much research on the history of the Zhai surname.

翟经理负责这个项目的开发。

Zhái jīnglǐ fùzé zhège xiàngmù de kāifā.

Manager Zhai is in charge of the development of this project.

在昨天的会议上，翟博士提出了新的方案。

Zài zuótiān de huìyì shàng, Zhái bóshì tíchū le xīn de fāng'àn.

At yesterday's meeting, Dr. Zhai proposed a new plan.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 羽

Component: 隹