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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to tie' or 'system' with 系 (xì)

    Connecting Ideas
    Manner & Method

    Explanation

    系 (xì) can mean 'to tie' or 'to fasten,' but it is also widely used as a noun meaning 'system' or 'department,' as in 太阳系 (solar system). The meaning depends on context; as a verb it means to bind or connect, while as a noun suffix it denotes a systematic grouping.

    Examples

    • 地球属于太阳系的一部分。

      Dìqiú shǔyú tàiyángxì de yī bùfen.

      Earth is part of the solar system.

    • 她在大学中文系学习了四年。

      Tā zài dàxué Zhōngwén xì xuéxí le sì nián.

      She studied in the Chinese department at university for four years.

    • 请把安全带系好，飞机马上起飞。

      Qǐng bǎ ānquándài jì hǎo, fēijī mǎshàng qǐfēi.

      Please fasten your seatbelt; the plane is about to take off.

    Expressing 'to tie' or 'system' with 系 (xì) | Chinese Grammar