制 meaning and stroke order
To manufacture; to make
How to write 制, stroke by stroke
8 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
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Meaning of 制
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to manufacture
- to make
- system
- to control
- to regulate
- variant of 製|制[zhi4]
How 制 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Knife.
刂 gives the meaning and 巾 hints at the sound.
Radical: 刂 (knife), shared by 71 characters on this site.
How to remember 制
The right side is 刂, the knife radical, and the left contains 巾 (jīn), cloth. Picture cutting cloth with a knife to make clothes, which links to the meaning of making things and setting rules for how they are made.
制 (zhì) is rarely used alone in modern speech and mostly appears in words like 制造 (zhìzào), 制度 (zhìdù) and 限制 (xiànzhì). It covers both making physical things and controlling or regulating. Example: 这个国家有很好的教育制度。(Zhège guójiā yǒu hěn hǎo de jiàoyù zhìdù.) This country has a good education system.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 制 (zhì) with 治 (zhì, to govern or treat), since they share a sound and both relate to control. Remember 治 has the water radical 氵 and appears in 政治 (zhèngzhì) and 治病 (zhìbìng), while 制 has the knife 刂.
Common words with 制
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 制作 | zhìzuò | to make; to manufacture | HSK 3 |
| 制造 | zhìzào | to manufacture; to make | HSK 3 |
| 制度 | zhìdù | system (e.g. political, adminstrative etc); institution | HSK 3 |
| 制定 | zhìdìng | to draw up; to formulate | HSK 3 |
| 限制 | xiànzhì | to restrict; to limit | HSK 4 |
| 复制 | fùzhì | to duplicate; to make a copy of | HSK 4 |
| 研制 | yánzhì | to research and manufacture; to research and to develop | HSK 4 |
| 制订 | zhìdìng | to work out; to formulate | HSK 4 |
| 控制 | kòngzhì | to control | HSK 5 |
| 制成 | zhìchéng | to manufacture; to turn out (a product) | HSK 5 |
| 机制 | jīzhì | mechanism | HSK 5 |
| 制约 | zhìyuē | to restrict; condition | HSK 5 |
| 法制 | fǎzhì | legal system and institutions | HSK 5 |
| 豆制品 | dòuzhìpǐn | legume-based product; soybean product | HSK 5 |
制 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 制
Learning 制 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 制
How many strokes are in 制?
制 is written with 8 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 制 mean?
制 (zhì) means to manufacture; to make. A common word with it is 制作 (zhìzuò), meaning "to make; to manufacture".
How do you pronounce 制?
制 is pronounced zhì, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 制?
The radical of 制 is 刂, which carries the idea of "knife". Dictionaries list 制 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 制?
The traditional form of 制 is 製. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 制 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 制 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 制 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 制定 and 制订?
Both are pronounced zhìdìng and mean to draw up or formulate. 制定 is used more for laws, policies and rules that become official, while 制订 often stresses the process of working out a plan or draft.
Is there a difference between 制作 and 制造?
制造 (zhìzào) usually refers to large scale or industrial production, like cars or machines. 制作 (zhìzuò) is more for crafting or producing specific items or works, like a video, a cake or a model.