系 (xì) is a Chinese character meaning “connection”. It is written from 丿 (left-falling stroke) and 糸 (silk; a twisted bundle of fine threads), one above the other, and takes 7 strokes.
Build the character for “connection”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
丿 + 糸
Top–bottom structure
Structure from: 现代字形拆分 ⿱丿糸（笔画数已对 hanzi-writer-data 核验：1+6=7）
Memory aid
One short stroke (丿) reaches down and picks up a bundle of silk threads (糸). Lift one thread and the whole bundle follows — that is what it means for things to be connected.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
7 strokes
In real words
- 关系guān xìrelationship; connection系 = xì
- 系统xì tǒngsystem系 = xì
- 没关系méi guān xìit doesn't matter; never mind系 = xìspoken asméi guān xiHSK 1
- 联系lián xìto contact; to get in touch; connection系 = xì
Go deeper
All readings
connection; system
connection; relation; to relate to; a system or an organised whole; a department in a university
事物之间相互牵连的状态；也指有共同联系的整体，或高等学校的院系。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 关系guān xìrelationship; connection系 = xì
- 系统xì tǒngsystem系 = xì
- 没关系méi guān xìit doesn't matter; never mind系 = xìspoken asméi guān xiHSK 1
- 联系lián xìto contact; to get in touch; connection系 = xì
Rare readings, not taught: jì
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 系 mean?
系 (xì) means connection; relation; to relate to; a system or an organised whole; a department in a university.
How do you pronounce 系?
It is pronounced xì.
What parts is 系 made of?
丿 (left-falling stroke) and 糸 (silk; a twisted bundle of fine threads), one above the other. The recorded source is: 现代字形拆分 ⿱丿糸（笔画数已对 hanzi-writer-data 核验：1+6=7）. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 系 have?
7. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 系?
糸. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 系?
Common ones are 关系 and 系统. The reading of 系 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.