吸 (xī) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 吸 (xī) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 吸 (xī) means "to inhale". It is an HSK Level 4 character, with 6 strokes and the radical 口.

Q: How do you write 吸 stroke by stroke?

吸 has 6 strokes. The radical is 口. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 吸 and 卟?

吸 (xī) and 卟 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 吸?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 口. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 吸?

Common words containing 吸 include: 呼吸 (hū xī) — to breathe / respiration; 吸引 (xī yǐn) — to attract; 吸烟 (xī yān) — to smoke.

How to Write 吸

The character 吸 (xī) is written with 6 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 口 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

吸 is pronounced xī in Mandarin Chinese. It means to inhale.

As an HSK Level 4 character, 吸 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 吸

呼吸 hū xī

to breathe / respiration

吸引 xī yǐn

to attract

吸烟 xī yān

to smoke

Example Sentences

深呼吸，别紧张。

shēn hū xī bié jǐn zhāng

Take a deep breath, don't be nervous.

这个活动很吸引人。

zhè ge huó dòng hěn xī yǐn rén

This activity is very engaging.

这里禁止吸烟。

zhè lǐ jìn zhǐ xī yān

No smoking here.

Similar Characters

卟 bǔ

古 gǔ

句 gōu

Practice Writing 吸 (xī)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 吸 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 吸

What does 吸 (xī) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 吸 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 吸 and 卟?

What mistakes do learners make writing 吸?

What common words use 吸?

How to Write 吸 (xī)