HanziGuru.绩 · jì
绩
jì[ji4]Tone 4

merit, accomplishment

HSK 2
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Guru Deep Dive

English · merit, accomplishment

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Topology:Left-right
Strokes:11
Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (纟) takes up roughly one-third of the width, while the right phonetic component (责) claims the remaining two-thirds, keeping both sides harmoniously balanced vertically.
Simplification Logic: The traditional thread radical (糸) is simplified to the modern two-stroke silk radical (纟), and the right component is standard simplified 责.
1. Meaning

achievement, accomplishment, merit

to spin hemp or thread (archaic/original sense)
noun / bound morphemeneutral / formalBound morpheme#achievement#work#textiles
Sample Usage
  • 成绩
    chéngjì
    achievement, grades, results
  • 功绩
    gōngjì
    meritorious service, contribution
2. Sound
/[t͡ɕi⁵¹]/Tone: 51
绩
jìji4
++
`(51)
=jì
Initial Consonant
j
Type: Unaspirated Alveolo-Palatal
Sounds like: j sound as in 'jeep' (alveolo-palatal affricate/stop)
Unaspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: No air puff. Lips spread wide like smiling.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Blade of the tongue touches the hard palate, releasing gently into the high vowel.
Final Rhyme
i
Vowel Group: -i vowel group
Sounds like: ee sound as in 'bee'
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'ee'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Tone
T4 (51)
4th Tone (High-Falling)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and drops abruptly to the bottom, mimicking an emphatic command or a sigh of conclusion.
👂
Listening trap: Do not confuse Tone 4 (jì) with Tone 1 (jī) or Tone 2 (jí). The sharp falling pitch gives it a final, energetic drop.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: Tone 4 is a sharp, sudden downward chop with your hand, like bringing a karate chop down to signify a finished task.
3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 11 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (纟) takes up roughly one-third of the width, while the right phonetic component (责) claims the remaining two-thirds, keeping both sides harmoniously balanced vertically.

Simplification Logic: The traditional thread radical (糸) is simplified to the modern two-stroke silk radical (纟), and the right component is standard simplified 责.

4. Components

Radical 纟 · Silk Radical (silk, threads, textiles)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 纟 (indicates thread, spinning, and textile work)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 责 (original sound: zé)

A person takes threads (纟) and takes full responsibility (责) for spinning them into a finished, meritorious textile product (绩).

  • 纟 silk / thread
  • 责 responsibility / debt (provides phonetic clue)
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally combined the silk radical (糸) with a phonetic element (责) indicating sound and a underlying connection to drawing out and spinning threads.

Semantic Evolution: From the physical act of spinning and drawing out hemp or silk threads, the meaning extended metaphorically to drawing out effort, leading to results, accomplishments, and merit.

  • In ancient times, textile work was measured meticulously, making it a natural metaphor for hard work and output.
6. Sinosphere
🇯🇵
Kanji (Japanese)
On: セキ / Kun: いとぐち
🇰🇷
Hanja (Korean)
적
Sound Shift Bridge: The initial 'j' in Mandarin often corresponds to palatalized sounds across languages.
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story

To achieve great MERIT (绩), you must take RESPONSIBILITY (责) for spinning every single thread of SILK (纟) without breaking it.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
绩
jìaccomplishmentBase character with silk radical
渍
zìstain / soakWater radical instead of silk
责
zéresponsibilityWithout the silk radical
Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)
积(jī)
积 uses the grain/crop radical (禾) meaning accumulation, whereas 绩 uses the silk radical (纟) meaning achievement/spinning.
迹(jì)
迹 uses the walking/movement radical (辶) meaning traces/footprints, whereas 绩 uses silk (纟).
8. Mastery
Active Recall Challenge
他这次考试取得了很好的[___]。
Clue: chéng jì
Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing 绩 (jì - achievement) with 积 (jī - accumulate), especially because both appear in common compound words related to building up results.

Memory Prompts
Recognition: When you see 绩 with the silk radical on the left and 责 on the right, what is its primary modern meaning?
Production: How do you write the character for 'accomplishment/grades' (jì) using the silk radical?
Real-World Video Context

Watch authentic native speakers pronounce and explain this word in real-world YouTube videos.

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