咫 (zhǐ) - Chinese unit of length equal to eight inches & ancient measure of distance

咫Tone 3

zhǐ ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

咫 · zhǐ

Chinese unit of length equal to eight inches;

ancient measure of distance;

used metaphorically for something very close or short distance.

Chinese unit of length equal to eight inchesancient measure of distanceused metaphorically for something very close or short

Usage highlights

short distanceclose at handeightnearbywithin reachclose proximity

Synonyms

  • 寸— Chinese inch (small unit of length)
  • 尺— Chinese foot (larger unit of length)

Antonyms

  • 里— Chinese mile (long distance)
  • 远— far, distant

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient Chinese unit zhi equals eight inches (咫).
  • They were separated by just a short distance (咫尺之遥).
  • The two places are very close to each other (近在咫尺).

Collocations

  • short distance(咫尺)
  • close at hand(咫尺之间)
  • eight-inch measure(八咫)
  • nearby(咫尺之近)
  • within reach(咫尺可达)
  • close proximity(咫尺相邻)

Idioms

  • So near and yet so far(咫尺天涯)
  • Close at hand(近在咫尺)
  • Within a short distance(咫尺之遥)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Ancient Chinese unit of length, approximately eight Chinese inches (cun) during the Zhou dynasty.
  • Used in classical literature to describe very short distances or intimate proximity.
  • Often appears in poetic contexts to emphasize physical or emotional closeness.

FAQ