zhǐ
咫
ancient measure of eight inches
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesmeasure word
ancient Chinese unit of length equal to eight inches (approx. 20 cm)
archaicClassical Chinese measure word. Most commonly encountered in the compound 咫尺 (zhǐchǐ) to describe very short distances, or in the idiom 咫尺天涯.
Zhōu周
dài代
yǐ以
bā八
cùn寸
wéi为
zhǐ咫
。
The Zhou Dynasty regarded eight inches as one zhi.
Liǎng两
rén人
jìn近
zài在
zhǐ咫
chǐ尺
，
què却
yuǎn远
zài在
tiān天
yá涯
。
The two are within arm's reach, yet as far apart as the horizon.
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Zhǐ咫
chǐ尺
zhī之
yáo遥
，
kě可
jiàn见
ér而
bù不
kě可
jí即
。
It is but a short distance away—visible yet unreachable.