Definition
直 (zhí) means 'straight' (not curved) as an adjective, contrasting with 正 (zhèng) 'upright/correct'. As an adverb, it means 'directly' or 'continuously' (e.g., 直走, 直哭), overlapping with 一直 (yī zhí) but less common for 'all along'; 径直 (jìng zhí) is a more formal synonym. It also has a verb sense 'to straighten'.
adjective
straightfrankfair
adverb
straightdirectlycontinuously (used before verbs)
verb
to straightento make straight
Easily confused
- 真zhēnlook-alikereally, truly
- 只zhǐsound-alike(classifier) used for one of a pair of animals, objects, or body parts; also for boats, certain containers
- 值zhílook-alike(verb) to be worth
- 只zhǐsound-alikeonly, just, merely
- 置zhìlook-aliketo place; to put; to set (in a position)
- 之zhīsound-alike(literary, possessive particle) equivalent to 的
- 之zhīsound-alike(literary pronoun) him, her, it (used as object)
- 指zhǐsound-aliketo point at, to indicate, to show
- 支zhīsound-alikeclassifier for long, thin objects (pens, guns), army divisions, and songs/compositions
- 支zhīsound-aliketo prop up, to support
Examples
- 直。Zhè tiáo hé hěn zhí.This river is very straight.
- 直，。Qǐng zhí zǒu, ránhòu yòu zhuǎn.Please go straight, then turn right.
- 直Tā zhí le yíxià yāoShe straightened her back for a moment.
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