Chinese word

知己

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhī jǐ

Meaning

  • nounclose friend

Example

他一直是我的知己。tā yì zhí shì wǒ de zhī jǐ

He has always been my close friend.

Illustration for 知己 (close friend)

More examples

她常与知己交心，分享心事。tā cháng yǔ zhī jǐ jiāo xīn fēn xiǎng xīn shì

She often confides in her close friend and shares her thoughts.

Core concept

A trusted companion who understands a person's inner thoughts and can stand beside them as an adviser or ally.

Common phrases

  • 与知己交心yǔ zhī jǐ jiāo xīn

    confide in a close friend

  • 与知己相处yǔ zhī jǐ xiāng chǔ

    spend time with a close friend

Similar words

朋友péng yǒu: A friend who shares time and everyday activities.
好友háo yǒu: A good friend with a warm, close relationship.
密友mì yǒu: A very close friend trusted with personal secrets.
知音zhī yīn: A special friend who deeply understands a person's character and feelings.

Definition in Chinese

对一个人有深刻了解并且彼此信赖的朋友。duì yí gè rén yǒu shēn kè liáo jiě bìng qiě bí cǐ xìn lài de péng yǒu

Word origin

知己 (zhījǐ, "confidant") combines 知 (zhī, "know") + 己 (jǐ, "oneself"), presenting such a person as one who knows the self and therefore becomes deeply trusted.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this word is stronger than a routine word for a friend, so it fits heartfelt descriptions better than quick remarks about ordinary social contacts.

Other meanings

  • confidantnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word