系

xì

HSK 5

系 — xì

1. to connect; to relate to; to tie up; to bind; (literary) to be

   此事系我亲手所为。 cǐshì xì wǒ qīnshǒu suǒwèi — This matter is something I did myself.

2. system; department; faculty (organizational unit)

   他在大学的历史系任教。 tā zài dàxué de lìshǐxì rènjiào — He teaches in the university's history department.

3. to connect; to arrest; to worry (literary/colloquial nuance varies)

   成败系于这次谈判。 chéngbài xì yú zhècì tánpàn — Success or failure hinges on this negotiation.

系 — jì

1. to tie; to fasten; to button up

   请把鞋带系好。 qǐng bǎ xiédài jì hǎo — Please tie your shoelaces tightly.