How to Write 绩 (jì) — Meaning “Achievement; merit; to spin”

Picture silk threads (纟) being spun into a rope of responsibility (责). Each twist represents a small task, and when you finish all tasks, you earn an achievement. This visual links the 'thread' and 'responsibility' components to the idea of earning good results.

Write the left radical 纟 as three strokes: diagonal fold, diagonal fold, then a rising stroke. On the right side, 责 has eight strokes: the top part is three horizontal lines with two vertical lines, and the bottom is a wide 贝 with a left-falling stroke and a dot. Don’t make the right side too narrow or squeeze the bottom 贝 — keep the character balanced.

绩 means achievement or to spin thread, while 绑 (bǎng) means to tie or bind, and 绒 (róng) means velvet or fine hair. Visually, 绩 has 责 on the right, 绑 has 邦 (country), and 绒 has 戎 (military gear). So even though all share the silk radical, their right-side components give completely different meanings.

You see 绩 most often in 成绩 (chéng jì) for grades or results, 业绩 (yè jì) for work performance, and 功绩 (gōng jì) for historical accomplishments. Chinese students and employees frequently talk about their 成绩 and 业绩 because these words reflect personal effort and success in school or business.

Common words containing 绩 include: 成绩 (chéng jì) — achievement; grade; result; 业绩 (yè jì) — Performance / Achievement; 功绩 (gōng jì) — achievement / accomplishment.