己 jǐ self

源How it came to be

A cord bent back on itself twice, the way a thread is knotted to mark a place in the weaving. The turning back on itself is what the character kept when the cord was forgotten.

用How it is used

• Pairs with 自 as 自己 (zìjǐ, oneself): 我自己 (wǒ zìjǐ) myself, 靠自己 (kào zìjǐ) rely on yourself.
• Also 'one's own' - 知己 (zhījǐ) a bosom friend (one who knows you), 各抒己见 (gèshū-jǐjiàn) each airs his own view.
• Watch the shape: 己 (jǐ, self) vs 已 (yǐ, already) vs 巳 (sì) differ only by how far the middle stroke rises.

字Characters built with 己

• 起 rise up
• 记 remember
• 改 alter
• 纪 discipline
• 配 to blend
• 忌 jealous

词Words with 己

• 自己zìjǐoneselfHSK 2
• 知己zhījǐto know oneselfHSK 7
• 身不由己shēnbùyóujǐbeyond one's controlHSK 7
• 各抒己见gèshū-jǐjiàneveryone gives their own viewHSK 8
• 损人利己sǔnrén-lìjǐharming others for one's personal benefitHSK 8

句Example sentences

• 儿子会自己洗衣服。 Érzi huì zìjǐ xǐ yīfu.My son can do the laundry by himself.
• 他总是先想别人，其次才想到自己。 Tā zǒng shì xiān xiǎng biéren, qícì cái xiǎng dào zìjǐ.He always thinks of others first, then himself.
• 他解释了自己的方案。 Tā jiěshìle zìjǐ de fāng'àn.He explained his plan.