Learn a Chinese Character - 疾

1. Character Basics

Radical: 疒 (nè radical, meaning "sickness" or "illness")

Stroke Count: 10

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jí

3. Meaning

disease, illness, ache, pain, fast, rapid

4. Common Words

• 疾病 (jí bìng) - disease, illness
• 疾苦 (jí kǔ) - hardship, suffering
• 急剧 (jí jù) - sharp, rapid
• 疾驰 (jí chí) - to gallop, to speed
• 疾风 (jí fēng) - strong wind, gale

5. Grammar & Usage

1. Used as a noun meaning "disease" or "illness"

2. Can be used as an adjective meaning "fast" or "rapid"

3. Often forms compound words related to sickness or speed

6. Cultural Background

In ancient Chinese, 疾 originally referred specifically to an acute disease or pain. The extension of meaning to "fast" or "rapid" comes from the association between the quick onset of illnesses and speed.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

To remember 疾, note that it has 疒 (disease radical) on the left, clearly indicating its primary association with sickness. The right side 矢 (shǐ) means "arrow," which can help you remember the secondary meaning of "fast" or "rapid," as an arrow moves quickly.