栉 (zhì) - comb & to comb (hair)

栉Tone 4

zhì ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

志

栉 · zhì

comb;

to comb (hair);

to dress (hemp);

meticulous;

neat and tidy

combto comb (hair)to dress (hemp)

Usage highlights

to comb hairto wash and combarranged like scales and comb teethwind combing raincomb and washcomb and bathe

Synonyms

  • 梳— comb (noun); to comb (verb)
  • 篦— fine-toothed comb

Antonyms

  • 乱— messy; disordered
  • 杂— mixed; miscellaneous

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She combs her hair every morning (栉发).
  • The room is neat and tidy (鳞次栉比).
  • He dresses hemp fibers (栉沐).
  • The houses are arranged in orderly rows (鳞次栉比).

Collocations

  • to comb hair(栉发)
  • to wash and comb(栉沐)
  • arranged like scales and comb teeth(鳞次栉比)
  • wind combing rain(风栉雨沐)
  • comb and wash(栉洗)
  • comb and bathe(栉浴)

Idioms

  • Arranged in orderly rows, like fish scales and comb teeth(鳞次栉比)
  • To travel or work despite wind and rain(风栉雨沐)
  • To comb hair and wash face(栉风沐雨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to ancient combs made of bone, wood, or bamboo.
  • In classical texts, often used metaphorically to describe meticulous arrangement or diligent work.
  • The idiom '风栉雨沐' describes hard work and perseverance through difficulties.

FAQ