识

識

shí, zhì

只 + 讠

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

shí (verb) to know; to recognize

shí (noun) knowledge

zhì (verb) remember; commit to memory

Etymology

Simplified from 識. Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 只 represents the sound.

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 只

About

识 originated as a simplification of the traditional character 識, a phono-semantic compound. In the traditional form, the semantic component is 言 'speech', while 戠 (zhí) gives the sound. The simplified version condenses 言 to the radical 讠 and replaces the phonetic with the simpler 只 (zhǐ). This significantly alters the visual structure while keeping the speech-related meaning intact. The character is primarily read shí, meaning 'to know, recognize, or understand.' A second pronunciation zhì conveys 'to remember' or 'to make a record,' tying mental retention to communication.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我认识他。

Wǒ rènshi tā.

I know him.

知识就是力量。

Zhīshi jiùshì lìliang.

Knowledge is power.

她很有见识。

Tā hěn yǒu jiànshi.

She is very knowledgeable and experienced.

你认识这条路吗？

Nǐ rènshi zhè tiáo lù ma?

Do you know this road?

我们需要有危机意识。

Wǒmen xūyào yǒu wēijī yìshí.

We need to have a sense of crisis.

他识别出了那个错误。

Tā shíbié chūle nàgè cuòwù.

He identified that mistake.

这个标志你认识吗？

Zhège biāozhì nǐ rènshi ma?

Do you recognize this sign?

他识破了那个骗局。

Tā shípòle nàgè piànjú.

He saw through that scam.

Related Characters

Component: 只

Component: 讠

识