誡 meaning and stroke order
To warn, to admonish; warning
How to write 誡, stroke by stroke
14 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 誡
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- commandment
- to prohibit
How 誡 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Words 言 of warning 戒; 戒 also provides the pronunciation.
Radical: 言 (words), shared by 155 characters on this site.
How to remember 誡
誡 combines 言 (words) with 戒 (to guard against). Words that tell you to be on guard are a warning, and 戒 also gives the sound jiè.
誡 is the traditional form; in simplified Chinese it is written 诫. It rarely stands alone and usually appears in formal words like 告誡 (gàojiè, to warn) or 十誡 (shí jiè, the Ten Commandments). Example: 老師告誡我們不要遲到。(Lǎoshī gàojiè wǒmen bú yào chídào.) The teacher warned us not to be late.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 誡 with 戒 (jiè), which has the same sound. 戒 means to quit or abstain, as in 戒煙 (jièyān, to quit smoking), while 誡 with the 言 side is about warning someone with words.
Common words with 誡
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 告誡 | gàojiè | to warn; to admonish | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 誡
How many strokes are in 誡?
誡 is written with 14 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 誡 mean?
誡 (jiè) means to warn, to admonish; warning. A common word with it is 告诫 (gàojiè), meaning "to warn; to admonish".
How do you pronounce 誡?
誡 is pronounced jiè, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 誡?
The radical of 誡 is 言, which carries the idea of "words". Dictionaries list 誡 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 誡?
誡 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 诫, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What is the difference between 告誡 and 警告?
告誡 (gàojiè) is earnest advice or admonition, often from an elder or teacher. 警告 (jǐnggào) is a sharper warning and can also mean an official penalty or a threat.
How do I say 'commandment' using 誡?
Use 誡命 (jièmìng) or 戒律-style phrases. The Ten Commandments are called 十誡 (shí jiè).