窒 (zhì) - To obstruct & to block

窒Tone 4

zhì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

志

窒 · zhì

To obstruct;

to block;

to stop up;

to stifle;

to suffocate.

To obstructto blockto stop up

Usage highlights

SuffocationBlockageObstructionStiflingChokingImpede

Synonyms

  • 塞— to block; to stop up
  • 阻— to obstruct; to hinder
  • 梗— to block; to obstruct

Antonyms

  • 通— to open; to clear; to go through
  • 畅— smooth; unimpeded
  • 疏— to dredge; to clear away obstruction

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The pipe is blocked (管道窒塞).
  • Poor ventilation can cause suffocation (通风不良会导致窒息).
  • He felt stifled by the rigid rules (他感到被僵化的规则所窒碍).
  • The smoke filled the room, making it hard to breathe (烟雾弥漫房间，令人窒息).

Collocations

  • Suffocation(窒息)
  • Blockage(窒塞)
  • Obstruction(窒碍)
  • Stifling(窒闷)
  • Choking(窒死)
  • Impede(窒滞)

Idioms

  • To be stifled and unable to advance(窒碍难行)
  • Suffocatingly rigid and inflexible(窒闷不化)
  • To stifle one's nature(窒性)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 窒 appears in medical and safety contexts, particularly regarding suffocation hazards.
  • In classical Chinese philosophy, it can metaphorically describe intellectual or spiritual obstruction.
  • It is used in modern contexts to describe bureaucratic or systemic impediments.

FAQ