What does 戒 mean in Chinese?

戒 (jiè) means "to guard against; to exhort; to admonish or warn; to give up or stop doing sth; Buddhist monastic discipline; ring (for a finger)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 7-9.

How do you pronounce 戒?

戒 is pronounced "jiè" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 戒?

戒 is an HSK 7-9 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one.

What words contain the character 戒?

Common words with 戒 include 传戒 (to initiate novice (Buddhist monk)), 儆戒 (to warn), 八戒 (the eight precepts (Buddhism)), 力戒 (to try everything to avoid), 勒戒 (to force sb to give up (a drug)).

How do you write 戒?

You can practice writing 戒 using our stroke order tool.

戒 (jiè), to guard against

戒

jiè

to guard against; to exhort; to admonish or warn; to give up or stop doing sth

HSK 7-9 Was HSK 5verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 戈 (no. 62)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to guard against
to exhort
to admonish or warn
to give up or stop doing sth
Buddhist monastic discipline
ring (for a finger)

Example Sentences

医生建议他戒烟戒酒。

Yīshēng jiànyì tā jiè yān jiè jiǔ

The doctor advised him to quit smoking and drinking

Words Containing 戒

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
传戒	chuán jiè	to initiate novice (Buddhist monk)
儆戒	jǐng jiè	to warn
八戒	bā jiè	the eight precepts (Buddhism)
力戒	lì jiè	to try everything to avoid
勒戒	lè jiè	to force sb to give up (a drug)

Related Words

叮咛(dīng níng)· to warn

→

以防万一(yǐ fáng wàn yī)· to guard against the unexpected (idiom); just in case

→

冷不防(lěng bu fáng)· unexpectedly

→

力戒(lì jiè)· to try everything to avoid

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 7-9
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 5 list

戒: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one. 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 7-9 exam

Studying for HSK 7-9? Keep 戒 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 Where your level lands on the new exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.