支
Characters in this entry
- 支
- zhī · disperse, pay; support; branch
Explore the spelling
Mandarin tones
1 · zhi1
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
Connected dictionary
Sentences in context
Exact source-spelling matches. Open the reader for dictionary lookups, construction notes and related examples. Occurrence does not establish a particular dictionary sense.
Read this spelling in Classical texts
Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.
Compare dictionary sources Rime · Wiktionary
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
zi1
Cantonese word readings for 支. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack
Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
character · Etymology 1
- to support; to bear; to sustain
- to disburse; to pay; to defray
- to prop up; to put up
- to send away; to put off somebody
- branch; limb; offshoot; subdivision
- a surname
- Classifier for long, thin objects. ⇒ all nouns using this classifier
- Classifier for songs or musical pieces.
- (Southern Min) Classifier for certain body parts.
- (now usually derogatory and offensive) short for 支那 (Zhīnà, “China”)
- (～日) (telegraphy) the fourth day of a month
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack