What does the Chinese character 系 mean?

系 (pronounced xì / jì) means “system / to connect” in Mandarin Chinese. It is an HSK 1 character. The character visually mimics a hanging silk cord: a top loop (丿), a central double knot (幺), and three spreading tassels at the bottom (小).

How do you remember the character 系?

A red silk thread tied into a knot with three small tassels hanging down, connecting everything together. InkSeal turns this into a full illustration where the strokes of 系 live inside the artwork.

What are the components of 系?

系 is built from 丿 (left-falling stroke), 幺 (tiny / young), 小 (small). Recognizing recurring components like these makes new characters much easier to learn.

What common words use 系?

Common words with 系 include 系统 (xì tǒng, system), 联系 (lián xì, to contact; to connect), 关系 (guān xi, relationship; connection).

Chinese character · HSK 1

系 (xì / jì) — “system / to connect”

The character visually mimics a hanging silk cord: a top loop (丿), a central double knot (幺), and three spreading tassels at the bottom (小).

Memory cue

A red silk thread tied into a knot with three small tassels hanging down, connecting everything together.

Visual mnemonic illustration of the Chinese character 系 (system / to connect) — The strokes of 系 stay visible inside the illustration.

Video mnemonic

Watch 系 in motion

See the visual story unfold, then connect it to the words and sentences below.

Common ways to use 系

This set shows 系 as xì in words about systems, links, and series, and as unstressed xi in 关系 and 没关系.

系统

xì tǒng · system

这个系统很简单。

This system is very simple.

联系

lián xì · to contact; to connect

有问题请联系老师。

If you have questions, please contact the teacher.

关系

guān xi · relationship; connection

他们的关系很好。

They have a very good relationship.

Usage note: In this common word, 系 is normally unstressed and pronounced xi rather than full-tone xì.

系列

xì liè · series; set

这是一个新的系列。

This is a new series.

Usage note: Here 系 suggests that the items belong to a connected group or line.

没关系

méi guān xi · it doesn't matter; no problem

“对不起。”“没关系。”

“Sorry.” “No problem.”

Usage note: Use this whole expression to reassure someone after an apology. 系 remains unstressed as xi.

Inside the character

丿 (left-falling stroke) — meaning component. A single sweep stroke — usually a structural piece, not a meaning carrier.
幺 (tiny / young) — meaning component. A small twisted thread — often marks smallness, young age, or finely.
小 (small) — meaning component. Three small strokes — often marks smallness, fewness, or littleness.

Where 系 comes from

Etymologically derived from '糸' (silk), it originally depicted a bundle of fine silk threads hanging down, which evolved to mean 'to tie', 'connection', and eventually abstract concepts like 'system'.

系 in Oracle bone script — Oracle bone script (甲骨文)

系 in Bronze inscription — Bronze inscription (金文)

Learn 系 the visual way. InkSeal pairs every HSK 1–6 character with an illustration like this one, Common-use words and sentences, component breakdowns, etymology, and recall-first review. The first 100 characters are free.

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More characters: 织 (zhī, to weave / to knit) · 给 (gěi, to give / to) · 罪 (zuì, sin / crime) — or browse the full character library.