Learn a Chinese Character - 戒

1. Character Basics

Radical: 戈/gē (dagger-axe radical)

Stroke Count: 7

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jiè (fourth tone)

3. Meaning

To warn; to caution; to guard against; to abstain from; to give up; to forbid; to prohibit; to ring (bell); to take precautions; to be on guard; commandment; precept; warning

4. Common Words

• 戒烟 (jiè yān) - to quit smoking

  他决定戒烟。

  He decided to quit smoking.

• 戒酒 (jiè jiǔ) - to quit drinking

  医生建议他戒酒。

  The doctor advised him to quit drinking.

• 戒备 (jiè bèi) - to be on guard, to be vigilant

  我们需要保持戒备。

  We need to stay vigilant.

• 戒指 (jiè zhǐ) - ring (finger jewelry)

  他给妻子买了一枚戒指。

  He bought a ring for his wife.

• 戒心 (jiè xīn) - caution, wariness, vigilance

  我们对陌生人要有戒心。

  We should be cautious with strangers.

• 戒除 (jiè chú) - to give up, to break (a habit)

  他成功戒除了坏习惯。

  He successfully broke his bad habit.

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 戒 has several important grammatical patterns and usages:

• As a verb:

  Used to indicate actions of warning, cautioning, or guarding against

  Example: 我们应该戒骄戒躁。 (We should guard against arrogance and rashness.)

• In compound verbs:

  Often combined with other characters to form verbs with specific meanings related to warning or abstaining

  Examples: 戒烟 (to quit smoking), 戒酒 (to quit drinking), 戒严 (to impose martial law)

• In the structure "戒+名":

  Where 戒 modifies a noun to indicate a warning or precaution related to that noun

  Examples: 戒心 (vigilance), 戒备 (precaution), 戒条 (commandment)

• In idiomatic expressions:

  Used in various idioms to describe being cautious or giving up certain behaviors

  Examples: 戒骄戒躁 (guard against arrogance and rashness), 引以为戒 (take as a warning), 戒备森严 (heavily guarded)

• In Buddhist and Daoist contexts:

  Used to refer to precepts or commandments that practitioners should follow

  Examples: 五戒 (five precepts), 八戒 (eight precepts)

• As a noun:

  Can refer to a ring or something that serves as a warning or reminder

  Example: 戒指 (ring)

The character 戒 is primarily used in the context of caution, self-control, and the act of giving up certain behaviors or substances.

6. Cultural Background

The character 戒 has important cultural significance in Chinese society:

• In Chinese culture, 戒 is often associated with self-discipline, caution, and moral precepts, reflecting the value placed on self-control and restraint.
• Buddhist and Daoist teachings in China often include 戒 (precepts) as fundamental aspects of their practice, guiding practitioners on ethical conduct.
• The concept of 戒 is reflected in Chinese proverbs and idioms about caution and self-control, such as 戒骄戒躁 (guard against arrogance and rashness) and 引以为戒 (take as a warning).
• Traditional Chinese education emphasized the importance of 戒 in personal conduct, teaching children to be mindful of their behavior and to avoid excess.
• The character is also used in the context of traditional Chinese medicine, where 戒口 (dietary restrictions) are often prescribed for maintaining health.
• In Chinese martial arts, 戒 is an important concept, representing the discipline and self-control required for mastery.

Overall, the character 戒 reflects important cultural values related to self-discipline, caution, and ethical conduct in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 戒 (jiè) can be broken down into two parts:

• The lower part is 戈 (gē), the dagger-axe radical, which is associated with weapons or tools.
• The upper part resembles two hands holding or controlling something, representing the idea of self-control or restraint.

To remember this character:

1. Associate the combination of 戈 and the hand-like structure with the idea of using discipline (like a tool) to guard against danger or to exercise self-control.
2. Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the correct stroke order of its 7 strokes.
3. Connect the character to its most common use in everyday phrases like 戒烟 (to quit smoking) or 戒备 (to be on guard).
4. Use mnemonics: Imagine using a tool (戈) to cut off or control (with hands) a bad habit or dangerous behavior, representing the act of戒 (warning or abstaining).
5. Learn the character's cultural significance by associating it with concepts of self-discipline, caution, and ethical conduct in Chinese culture.
6. Notice how 戒 appears in compound words with related meanings, and learn these compounds together to expand your vocabulary.