弛 (chí) - to relax & to loosen

弛Tone 2

chí ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 弓

橙丁

弛 · chí

to relax;

to loosen;

to slacken;

to ease;

lax

to relaxto loosento slacken

Usage highlights

to relaxto slackento loosenrelaxationlax disciplineslack

Synonyms

  • 松— loose; relaxed
  • 缓— slow; relaxed
  • 懈— slack; lax

Antonyms

  • 张— tight; tense
  • 紧— tight; tense
  • 急— urgent; tense

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • After work, I need to relax (弛缓一下).
  • The rope has loosened (绳子弛了).
  • He slackened his efforts (他弛懈了).
  • The tension eased (紧张局势弛缓了).

Collocations

  • to relax(弛缓)
  • to slacken(弛懈)
  • to loosen(弛张)
  • relaxation(弛豫)
  • lax discipline(纪律弛废)
  • slack(弛弓)

Idioms

  • One's tension eases(心弛神往)
  • The bow is unstrung and put away(弛弓藏矢)
  • The law becomes lax(法弛刑滥)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant to unstring a bow, extending to relaxation and easing of tension.
  • Often used in contrast to 张 (to tighten), forming the concept of 张弛 (tension and relaxation).
  • In traditional philosophy, represents the necessary balance between work and rest.

FAQ