息 (xī) - To rest & to cease

息Tone 1

xī ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

息 · xī

To rest;

to cease;

breath;

news;

interest (as in financial interest);

to grow (as in proliferate).

To restto ceasebreath

Usage highlights

RestInformationInterest rateBreathCeasefireSigh

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need to rest for a while (休息一会儿).
  • He held his breath (屏息).
  • Good news travels fast (好消息传得快).
  • The bank pays monthly interest (银行支付月息).

Collocations

  • Rest(休息)
  • Information(消息)
  • Interest rate(利息)
  • Breath(气息)
  • Ceasefire(停息)
  • Sigh(叹息)

Idioms

  • To catch one's breath after running(喘息未定)
  • To live in peace and work happily(安居乐业，休养生息)
  • The news spread quickly(消息不胫而走)
  • To work tirelessly(自强不息)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, 息 refers to breathing and is associated with vital energy (气).
  • The character combines 自 (self/nose) and 心 (heart), suggesting breath originating from the heart-mind.
  • In financial contexts, 息 represents the concept of growth and multiplication of wealth.

FAQ