皈 meaning and stroke order
To follow, to comply with
How to write 皈, stroke by stroke
9 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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Meaning of 皈
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to comply with
- to follow
How 皈 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 白 (white), shared by 21 characters on this site.
How to remember 皈
皈 is made of 白 (bái, white, pure) next to 反 (fǎn, to turn back). Picture someone turning back toward something pure, which is what following a faith means.
皈 almost only appears in the word 皈依 (guīyī), meaning to take refuge in or convert to a religion, especially Buddhism. Example: 他皈依了佛教。(Tā guīyī le Fójiào.) He converted to Buddhism.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 皈 with 归 (guī, to return), since they share the same sound and a similar idea. In the religious word, 皈依 is the standard form, though you may also see 归依.
Common words with 皈
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 皈依 | guīyī | to convert to (a religion) |
皈 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 皈
How many strokes are in 皈?
皈 is written with 9 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 皈 mean?
皈 (guī) means to follow, to comply with. A common word with it is 皈依 (guīyī), meaning "to convert to (a religion)".
How do you pronounce 皈?
皈 is pronounced guī, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 皈?
The radical of 皈 is 白, which carries the idea of "white". Dictionaries list 皈 under this radical.
Can 皈 be used on its own in modern Chinese?
Rarely. In everyday modern Chinese it is almost always part of 皈依. Using 皈 alone sounds odd outside classical or religious texts.
Is 皈依 only for Buddhism?
It is most strongly linked to Buddhism, where 皈依三宝 (guīyī sānbǎo) means taking refuge in the Three Jewels. It can also describe converting to other religions, such as 皈依基督教 (guīyī Jīdūjiào).