to support, branch, classifier for long thin objects
HSK 3
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English · to support, branch, classifier for long thin objects
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Topology:Top-bottom
Strokes:4
Writing Balance Rule: Keep the horizontal strokes balanced and let the vertical stroke anchor the center of the character.
1. Meaning
to support or sustain
branch or divisionclassifier for long thin objects like pens or songsto draw money
Verb and ClassifierNeutral#actions#quantifiers#structure
Sample Usage
支笔
zhī bǐ
a pen
支持
zhī chí
to support
2. Sound
/[ʈʂʐ̩⁵⁵]/Tone: 55
支
zhīzhi1
|
++
¯(55)
=zhī
Initial Consonant
zh
Type: Unaspirated Retroflex
Sounds like: j/dr retroflex sound
UnaspiratedRetroflex
Airflow Tactile Test: No burst of air. Tongue curled up. Tissue stays still.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip curled back near hard palate
Final Rhyme
i (-i*)
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: buzzing 'i' sound after retroflex consonants
Note: Written as 'i (-i*)', pronounced as rounded 'i' [y].
Mouth Shape Guide: Combine initial 'zh-' (jr) with final '-i' (rr/zz).
Common Learner Trap: Do NOT pronounce '-i' as 'ee' after zh-! Keep your tongue in the consonant position and buzz 'rr/zz'.
Tone
T1 (55)
5 → 5 (55)
1st Tone (High-Flat)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 1 is a high, steady pitch comparable to a sustained musical note at the top of your speaking range.
👂
Listening trap: Confusing the retroflex initial 'zh-' with the dental/alveolar affricate 'z-', or failing to hold the tongue tip curled back.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: A steady, high horizontal line drawn in the air at the top of your vocal range, like a high singing note.
3. Writing
Topology: Top-bottom · Strokes: 4 strokes
Writing Balance Rule: Keep the horizontal strokes balanced and let the vertical stroke anchor the center of the character.
4. Components
Radical支 · Branch Radical (branch)
Semantic Clue (形旁):又 (hand holding a branch)
Composed of bamboo (十) on top and a hand (又) below, depicting a hand holding a stick or branch.
十 branch or stalk
又 hand
Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
14· Phonetic Root: 支 (zhī)
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)
Origin: Originally depicted a hand (又) holding a branch or stalk of bamboo (十), representing the idea of a twig or branch breaking off from a main tree.
Semantic Evolution: From a physical tree branch, it extended to mean branching divisions, then to supporting or propping up with a stick, and finally as a counter for stick-like objects.
It has been used as a counting measure word since ancient times for items resembling twigs.
6. Sinosphere
🇻🇳
Sino-Vietnamese
chi
Mandarin Tone 1 corresponds to ngang tone in Sino-Vietnamese.
🇯🇵
Kanji (Japanese)
On: シ / Kun: ささえる
🇰🇷
Hanja (Korean)
지
Sound Shift Bridge: The retroflex initial often bridges to historical dental or palatal stops in other languages.
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story
Imagine a person using a strong wooden BRANCH (支) as a prop to SUPPORT a heavy roof from collapsing.
Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
肢
zhīlimbAdded flesh radical (月) to indicate body limbs.
翅
chìwingAdded insect/bug radical (虫) for wings.
Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)
技(jì)
Has the hand radical (扌) on the left instead of a full standalone structure, meaning skill.
8. Mastery
Active Recall Challenge
桌上有一___铅笔。
Clue: zhī
Common Learner Pitfall
Confusing '支' with other measure words like '条' or using it incorrectly for non-stick-like items.
Memory Prompts
Recognition: What is the primary function of '支' when used as a measure word?
Production: How do you write the character meaning 'to support' or 'branch' with 4 strokes?
Real-World Video Context
Watch authentic native speakers pronounce and explain this word in real-world YouTube videos.
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支zhīto support, branch, classifier for long thin objects
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