What does 之 mean in Chinese?

之 (zhī) means "(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de5]); him; her; it" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 之?

之 is pronounced "zhī" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 之?

之 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 之?

Common words with 之 include 一丘之貉 (jackals of the same tribe (idiom); fig. They are all just as bad as each other.), 一之为甚 (Once is enough (idiom)), 一之谓甚 (see 一之為甚|一之为甚[yi1 zhi1 wei2 shen4]), 一孔之见 (partial view), 一字之师 (one who can correct a misread or misspelt character and thus be your master).

How do you write 之?

You can practice writing 之 using our stroke order tool.

之 (zhī), (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de5])

之

zhī

(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de5]); him; her; it

HSK 4

Character Breakdown

Radical: 丿 (no. 4)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de5])
him
her
it

Example Sentences

这是之。

Zhè shì zhī

This is of

Words Containing 之

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
一丘之貉	yī qiū zhī hé	jackals of the same tribe (idiom); fig. They are all just as bad as each other.
一之为甚	yī zhī wéi shèn	Once is enough (idiom)
一之谓甚	yī zhī wèi shèn	see 一之為甚\|一之为甚[yi1 zhi1 wei2 shen4]
一孔之见	yī kǒng zhī jiàn	partial view
一字之师	yī zì zhī shī	one who can correct a misread or misspelt character and thus be your master

Showing 10 of 20 · View all words with 之 →

嘅(gě)· possessive particle (Cantonese)

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Grammar Notes

Expressing Ratios/MultiplesHSK 4

Multiples: Number + 倍 | Fractions: Denominator + 分之 + Numerator | Percentages: 百分之 + Number

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 7 list

之: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 之 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

之