to connect; to relate (关系, 系统); a university department (中文系); to tie; to fasten (系马); to be; indeed (确系)
系 connects things — relationships and systems; read jì when you tie a knot.
GF0025–2021 character list · 一级, 四级WHOLE GLYPH & STRUCTURE
ZDIC marks 会意 without naming pieces; the top stroke piece and the silk-thread radical are shown.
WHOLE CHARACTER
to connect; to relate (关系, 系统); a university department (中文系); to tie; to fasten (系马); to be; indeed (确系)
系 connects things — relationships and systems; read jì when you tie a knot.
ZDIC marks 会意 without naming pieces; the top stroke piece and the silk-thread radical are shown.
TOP STROKE PIECE (丿)
Notice this part of the shape; it is not taught as a separate word in this lesson.
In 系: top stroke piece (丿) A stroke-like top; no historical claim.
BOTTOM SILK-THREAD PIECE (THE RADICAL 糸)
silk; thread
A standard radical; shown as bound bottom/left forms in 累 and 系.
In 系: bottom silk-thread piece (the radical 糸) ZDIC lists 糸 as the radical.
Checking for a Mandarin voice…