之 (zhī) - Possessive marker (of) & grammatical particle

之Tone 1

zhī ｜ 3 strokes ｜ radical: 丿

丈志

之 · zhī

Possessive marker (of);

grammatical particle;

to go;

this, that;

literary equivalent of 的;

used in classical Chinese and names.

Possessive marker (of)grammatical particleto go

Usage highlights

After allBetweenOne ofPreviouslyAfterwardsAbove

Synonyms

  • 的— modern possessive marker
  • 此— this
  • 往— to go

Antonyms

  • 返— to return
  • 来— to come

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is my book (我的书).
  • He went to the market (之市).
  • The way of heaven (天之道).
  • As a result (总之).

Collocations

  • After all(总之)
  • Between(之间)
  • One of(之一)
  • Previously(之前)
  • Afterwards(之后)
  • Above(之上)

Idioms

  • Let nature take its course(顺其自然)
  • An arrow at the end of its flight(强弩之末)
  • In the twinkling of an eye(弹指之间)
  • A drop in the bucket(九牛一毛)
  • A land of abundance(天府之国)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the most common function words in classical Chinese texts.
  • Used in many historical and literary names (e.g., Wang Xizhi, a famous calligrapher).
  • Appears in Confucian classics like the Analects and Mencius.

FAQ