志 zhì — purpose · English

志

zhì

purpose

At a glance · 志

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

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.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
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.

「志」繁体「誌/志」从心之声，金文从心从止，心之所之。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「志」本义为心意、志向，引申记志、标志。

Structure

从心、从止（之），会意字，心之所之曰志，本为志向。

At a glance

Pinyinzhì

Radical心

Strokes7

UnicodeU+5FD7

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 purpose purpose, will, determination; annals

Français volonté / ambition Volonté, ambition. «守真志满» : la détermination.

Español voluntad / ambición Voluntad, ambición. «守真志满»: la determinación.

العربية عزم / طموح عزم، طموح. «守真志满»: العزيمة.

Русский воля / стремление Воля, стремление. «守真志满»: решимость.

Common words

志向zhì xiàngambition
志气zhì qìaspiration

◉ Listen