吉
jí
lucky; propitious; good
At a glance · 吉

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

吉 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 吉 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 吉 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 吉 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 吉 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 吉 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

甲骨文、金文上从「士」(一说器具),下从「口」,会善言、善事之意。小篆承之,隶楷作「吉」。会意结构。

What the sketch shows

吉 Object sketch

Origins & notes

本义为善、吉利,与凶相对。

Structure

会意字,从士从口,会言辞或行事吉祥之意。

At a glance

Pinyinjí
Radical口
Strokes6
UnicodeU+5409
Character type会意
Theme德行

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English lucky; propitious; good Lucky, propitious, or good.
Français heureux; propice; bon Heureux, propice ou bon.
Español afortunado; propicio; bueno Afortunado, propicio o bueno.
العربية ميمون؛ مبارك؛ طيب ميمون أو مبارك أو طيب.
Русский счастливый; благоприятный Счастливый, благоприятный или добрый.

Common words

  • 吉jílucky
  • 吉祥jí xiángauspicious