How common it is
直 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Guest access
Guests can browse all words. Sign in or create an account to save progress and unlock more practice.
Pronunciation focus
Say zhí slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
直可以表示不弯曲，也可以表示直接、坦率。
Zhí kěyǐ biǎoshì bù wānqū, yě kěyǐ biǎoshì zhíjiē, tǎnshuài.
Straight can mean not bent, or direct and frank.
Context note
画直线时要用尺子，说话直率的人很真诚。
Huà zhí xiàn shí yào yòng chǐzi, shuōhuà zhíshuài de rén hěn zhēnchéng.
Use a ruler to draw a straight line; people who speak directly are sincere.
5 examples
这条路很直。
zhè tiáo lù hěn zhí。
This road is straight.
他说话很直。
tā shuō huà hěn zhí。
He speaks very directly.
请直走然后左转。
qǐng zhí zǒu rán hòu zuǒ zhuǎn。
Please go straight then turn left.
她画了一条直线。
tā huà le yì tiáo zhí xiàn。
She drew a straight line.
直率的朋友最可靠。
zhí shuài de péng yǒu zuì kě kào。
A direct friend is most reliable.
5 mini stories
小明用尺子画了一条直直的线。老师夸他画得准。
xiǎo míng yòng chǐ zi huà le yì tiáo zhí zhí de xiàn。 lǎo shī kuā tā huà dé zhǔn。
Xiao Ming used a ruler to draw a straight line. The teacher praised his accuracy.
小红很直，她直接告诉朋友自己的想法。朋友觉得她真诚。
xiǎo hóng hěn zhí， tā zhí jiē gào sù péng yǒu zì jǐ de xiǎng fǎ。 péng yǒu jué de tā zhēn chéng。
Xiao Hong is direct; she tells her friend her thoughts directly. The friend finds her sincere.
小华在操场上直直地跑向终点。他得了第一名。
xiǎo huá zài cāo chǎng shàng zhí zhí dì pǎo xiàng zhōng diǎn。 tā dé le dì yī míng。
Xiao Hua ran straight to the finish line on the playground. He got first place.
小刚的头发很直，不用梳子也很整齐。大家都羡慕。
xiǎo gāng de tóu fa hěn zhí， bú yòng shū zǐ yě hěn zhěng qí。 dà jiā dōu xiàn mù。
Xiao Gang's hair is very straight, neat even without a comb. Everyone envies him.
小丽直直地站着，像一棵小树。妈妈说她有精神。
xiǎo lì zhí zhí dì zhàn zhe， xiàng yì kē xiǎo shù。 mā ma shuō tā yǒu jīng shén。
Xiao Li stands straight like a little tree. Mom says she looks spirited.