Definition
至 (zhì) is a literary, concise verb meaning 'to arrive', used in formal writing and set phrases (e.g., 至今, 至多). Unlike the everyday 到达 (dào dá) or 抵达 (dǐ dá), 至 is rarely used alone in speech and often pairs with a single noun or time word. It does NOT mean 'most' (that's 最 zuì).
verb
(verb, literary) to arrive
Easily confused
- 塞sāilook-alike(verb) to stuff, to squeeze in; to block, to stop up
- 只zhǐsound-alike(classifier) used for one of a pair of animals, objects, or body parts; also for boats, certain containers
- 场chǎnglook-alike(classifier) used for performances, sports matches, and other public events
- 只zhǐsound-alikeonly, just, merely
- 堂tánglook-alike(noun) hall, large room for a specific purpose
- 之zhīsound-alike(literary, possessive particle) equivalent to 的
- 塌tālook-aliketo collapse (of structures, etc.)
- 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
Examples
- 至，。Chūn zhì, huā'er kāi le.Spring arrives, and the flowers bloom.
- 至，。huǒchē yǐ zhì Běijīng zhàn, qǐng chéngkè xià chē.The train has arrived at Beijing station; passengers please get off.
- 至，。Guìbīn zhì, dàjiā qǐlì huānyíng.The distinguished guests arrive, and everyone stands up to welcome them.
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