to lay out, to place, to set aside

JLPT N2 13 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage and Meaning

The character (zhì) primarily means "to place," "to set," or "to put." It is often used in formal or written contexts to describe the act of placing objects somewhere deliberately. It can also imply arranging or installing something, such as equipment or documents.

Common Collocations

  • (zhì yú): to place at/in/on; used to specify the location where something is placed.
  • (zhìbàn): to purchase or acquire, often for a specific purpose.
  • (zhìhuàn): to replace or exchange.

Usage Notes

is more formal and less common in everyday spoken Chinese compared to verbs like (fàng) or (bǎi), which also mean "to put" or "to place." Use when emphasizing deliberate placement or formal contexts, such as legal documents, business, or technical writing.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse with , which is more casual and common in daily speech. often implies a more deliberate or official action of placing or setting something.

Summary

Use when you want to express the idea of placing or setting something in a formal, deliberate, or technical sense. It often appears in written language and formal speech, especially in business, legal, or technical contexts.

Example Sentences

Please place the book in the center of the table.

He placed the important documents in the safe.

The company decided to acquire new equipment to improve production