(zhǐ) - purpose, aim, intention & decree, order

Tone 3

zhǐ | 6 strokes | radical: 日

· zhǐ

purpose, aim, intention;

decree, order;

delicious, tasty (archaic meaning)

purpose, aim, intentiondecree, orderdelicious, tasty (archaic meaning)

Usage highlights

main purposeimperial decreeintentionmain ideaaimdelicious

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The main purpose (主旨) of the meeting is to discuss the budget.
  • This document is an imperial decree (圣旨).
  • He expressed his intention (旨意) clearly.
  • The article has a clear theme (要旨).

Collocations

  • main purpose(主旨)
  • imperial decree(圣旨)
  • intention(旨意)
  • main idea(要旨)
  • aim(宗旨)
  • delicious(甘旨)

Idioms

  • Conform to the original intent(旨趣相投)
  • Fulfill one's wish(得遂其旨)
  • Contrary to the original intention(有违本旨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, '旨' specifically referred to the emperor's commands and decrees (圣旨).
  • The character originally depicted a spoon putting food into a mouth, conveying the meaning 'delicious'.
  • In modern usage, it primarily denotes purpose, intention, or the main point of something.

FAQ