How to Write 纪 (jì) — Meaning “Discipline / Record / Era”

Imagine tying a piece of silk (纟) around yourself (己) to remind you to stay disciplined. This visual of binding yourself with a thread helps connect the shape to the meaning of "discipline" or "record" (like tying a memory).

Pay attention to the right side: it is 己 (jǐ), not 已 (yǐ) or 巳 (sì) — the top is open and the final stroke is a vertical hook. The left radical 纟 should be narrow, and the right side is wider, with the bottom hook extending slightly below the left. Common mistake: adding a horizontal line inside the right part, which would change it to 已.

The main difference is the right component: 纪 uses 己 (self), while 纠 uses 丩 (a knot shape), and 纡 uses 于 (a spear-like shape). Meaning-wise, 纪 means discipline or record, 纠 means to correct or entangle, and 纡 means circuitous or winding. Visually, 己 has an open top, 丩 has a vertical line crossing, and 于 has a horizontal line at top.

纪 appears in common words like 纪念 (jì niàn, to commemorate or souvenir) and 纪律 (jì lǜ, discipline). It is also a common Chinese surname, for example, the scholar Ji Xiaolan of the Qing Dynasty. In time words, 世纪 (shì jì) means century, so you'll see it in historical or formal contexts.

Common words containing 纪 include: 纪念 (jì niàn) — To commemorate / Souvenir; 纪律 (jì lǜ) — Discipline; 姓纪 (xìng jì) — Surnamed Ji..