戟 meaning and stroke order
A double-bladed axe
How to write 戟, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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- 12
Meaning of 戟
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- halberd
- long-handled weapon with pointed tip and crescent blade
- combined spear and battle-ax
How 戟 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. An axe 戈 with blades on both sides 龺.
Radical: 戈 (spear), shared by 34 characters on this site.
How to remember 戟
The right side is 戈 (gē), an ancient dagger-axe. The left part 龺 suggests extra blades on both sides, so 戟 (jǐ) is a fancier axe with more cutting edges: a halberd.
戟 (jǐ) is mostly found in historical writing, martial arts, and words for old weapons. It is rare in daily speech, but you will see it in words like 三叉戟. Example: 海神手里拿着三叉戟。(Hǎishén shǒu lǐ názhe sānchājǐ.) The sea god holds a trident.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 戟 with 戈 (gē) or 戰/战 (zhàn) because they share the 戈 side. Also note the tone: 戟 is third tone jǐ, not first tone jī like 机.
Common words with 戟
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 三叉戟 | sānchājǐ | trident |
Questions about 戟
How many strokes are in 戟?
戟 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 戟 mean?
戟 (jǐ) means a double-bladed axe. A common word with it is 三叉戟 (sānchājǐ), meaning "trident".
How do you pronounce 戟?
戟 is pronounced jǐ, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 戟?
The radical of 戟 is 戈, which carries the idea of "spear". Dictionaries list 戟 under this radical.
What is the difference between 戟 and 戈?
戈 (gē) is an older dagger-axe with a single sideways blade. 戟 (jǐ) combines a spear point with an axe-like blade, so it can both stab and hook or cut.
Does 戟 appear in idioms or famous phrases?
Yes. A well-known example is 方天画戟 (fāngtiān huàjǐ), the decorated halberd linked to the warrior 吕布 (Lǚ Bù) in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. You may meet it in historical novels, dramas, and games.