紫 zǐ purple
purple; violet
How to remember 紫: 此 this + 糸 thread = purple. At the craft shop the girl holds up a spool and says she wants this thread, the purple one.
Component breakdown
紫 = 此 this + 糸 thread
- 此 this
- 止 stop
- 匕 spoon
- 糸 thread
At the craft shop the girl holds up a spool and says she wants this thread, the purple one.
How it is used
- Free color adjective "purple", used just like other basic colors: 紫色 (zǐsè) "the color purple", 紫色的花 "purple flowers".
- 紫外线 (zǐwàixiàn) "ultraviolet rays" is a common science/skincare term built on this root.
- Straightforward, neutral register - no special traps.