To tie, connect, or bind threads into a continuous line.
System, series, department, connection; also to tie or fasten (jì). A hand (丿) pulling silk threads (糸) into one linked chain.
系
Common Usage & Traps
- 没关系 — it doesn't matter; never mind
- 关系 — relationship; connection
- 联系 — to contact; to get in touch
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系我是我English speakers may think 系 sounds like 'is' and use it as the verb 'to be', but 系 is not the 'to be' linking verb in Mandarin.
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系鞋带系鞋带 (jì xiédài) is correct but 鞋带 is above HSK 1; for HSK 1 use 没关系 or 关系 instead.This collocation is valid Chinese but level-unfair for HSK 1 learners.
Why can't I say '系' when I mean 'is' in Chinese?
In Mandarin, the verb 'to be' is 是 (shì), not 系 (xì). 系 means 'connection' or 'to tie'.
Many English speakers hear the Cantonese linking verb 'to be' 'hai6' (which sounds like 系) and mistakenly use 系 as 'to be' in Mandarin. In standard Mandarin, 是 is the linking verb 'to be'. 系 is used in words like 关系 (relationship) and 联系 (contact), or as a verb meaning 'to tie' (jì).
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| linking verb 'to be' 'to be' | 我是学生 (wǒ shì xuésheng) | 我系学生 (wǒ xì xuésheng) |
| Meaning 'relationship' | 没关系 (méi guānxi) | 没关是 (méi guānshì) |
| Verb 'to tie' | 系鞋带 (jì xiédài) | 是鞋带 (shì xiédài) |
When should I say '没关系' instead of '没事'?
Both mean 'it's okay', but 没关系 is more formal and often used as a polite response to an apology, while 没事 is more casual and can also mean 'nothing's wrong'.
没关系 literally means 'it doesn't have a relationship', i.e., 'it doesn't matter'. It is the standard response to '对不起' (sorry). 没事 (méi shì) means 'no matter' or 'nothing's wrong' and is used in similar but slightly more casual situations, or to reassure someone who is worried.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Response to apology | 对不起！没关系。 | 对不起！没事。 (less formal but acceptable) |
| Reassuring someone | 别担心，没事。 | 别担心，没关系。 (slightly off) |
| Formality | More polite/formal | More casual |
Appears in Stories 3 stories
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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我说：“ 没关系 ！
Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.
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对不起对 没关系 ！
Everyday greetings are a gateway to natural Chinese. Practice time-based hellos like “早上好” and “晚安,” learn to address teachers with the respectful “您,” and see how families skip formalities to speak warmly at home.
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家人、朋友 关系 好，“谢谢”、“您”、“请”太客气，在家说话不客气，可以不说“您和请”。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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