叽 (jī) - to chirp & to twitter

叽Tone 1

jī ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 口

慧佳

叽 · jī

to chirp;

to twitter;

a squeaking or creaking sound;

onomatopoeia for small bird sounds or mechanical squeaks.

to chirpto twittera squeaking or creaking sound

Usage highlights

chirpingchatteringcreaking soundsqueakingtwitteringmuttering

Synonyms

  • 喳— chirp; chatter
  • 啾— chirp; twitter
  • 吱— squeak; creak

Antonyms

  • 静— silent; quiet
  • 默— silent; mute

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The little bird chirped (小鸟叽叽叫).
  • The old door creaked (门叽嘎作响).
  • He heard a squeaking sound (他听到叽的一声).
  • The chicks were chirping (小鸡在叽叽喳喳).

Collocations

  • chirping(叽叽)
  • chattering(叽叽喳喳)
  • creaking sound(叽嘎)
  • squeaking(叽叽叫)
  • twittering(叽喳)
  • muttering(叽咕)

Idioms

  • Chirping and chattering(叽叽喳喳)
  • Grumbling and complaining(叽叽歪歪)
  • Whispering and muttering(叽叽咕咕)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily an onomatopoeic character representing small, high-pitched sounds, especially bird chirps.
  • Often used in reduplicated forms to emphasize continuous or numerous small sounds.
  • In modern usage, extended to describe mechanical squeaks or people complaining in a nagging manner.

FAQ