How to Write 伎 (jì) — Meaning “Skill or trick”

Imagine a person (亻) using a tree branch (支) as a tool to perform a clever trick. The branch helps them show off a special skill, so 伎 means both "skill" and "trick." This visual links the two parts directly to the meaning.

Write the radical 亻 first (two strokes: left-falling then vertical), followed by 支 (four strokes: horizontal, vertical, horizontal, right-falling). A common mistake is making the right side too wide; keep 支 compact and ensure the lower horizontal stroke of 支 is slightly longer than the upper one.

什 means "ten people" or "assorted" and has 十 (ten) on the right, while 仁 means "benevolence" and has 二 (two) on the right. In contrast, 伎 has 支 (branch/support) on the right, giving it the meaning of skill or trick. Their pronunciations and uses are completely different.

伎 appears mainly in the words 伎俩 (a trick or cunning maneuver) and 伎艺 (skill or artistry), often in formal or literary contexts. Historically, 歌伎 referred to female entertainers, but this term is now outdated and may carry negative connotations, so learners should use it with care.

Common words containing 伎 include: 伎俩 (jì liǎng) — Trick, maneuver, or stratagem; 伎艺 (jì yì) — Skill or artistry; 歌伎 (gē jì) — singing girl; female entertainer.