# chi

/ˈkaɪ/ (US) · /tʃˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chi
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. life force

noun · CEFR B2

the energy or life force that people in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy believe flows through the body.

For teachers: the vital life force or energy whose flow is central to traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, and philosophy.

- The teacher told us to focus on our chi while we practiced the slow movements of Tai Chi.
- Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that an imbalance or blockage of chi within the body's meridians can lead to physical illness.

Usage: Often spelled 'qi' in modern English contexts.

Teaching tip: Explain to students that 'qi' is the more common academic spelling, while 'chi' is frequently seen in older texts or popular culture.

### 2. Greek letter

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet, written as X.

For teachers: the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet, represented by the symbol Χ.

- The professor used the Greek letter chi to represent a specific value in the equation.
- In statistics, the chi-squared test is a common method used to determine if there is a significant difference between expected and observed frequencies.

Usage: Usually appears in mathematical, scientific, or linguistic contexts.

### 3. Chicago

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang · Informal

a short, informal name for the city of Chicago.

For teachers: a colloquial clipping or nickname for the city of Chicago, Illinois.

- He grew up in Chi and still goes back every summer to visit his family.
- The rapper often references his upbringing in Chi-town, using the city's nickname to establish a sense of local authenticity in his lyrics.

### 4. Chinese unit of length

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a traditional Chinese unit of length, similar to a foot.

For teachers: a traditional Chinese unit of linear measure, historically based on the length of a forearm and now standardized in various regions.

- The old carpenter measured the wood using the traditional chi instead of meters.
- While the metric system is official, some local markets still use the chi to measure fabric and traditional building materials.

Usage: The exact length varies between Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

## Examples

- Tai chi helps you focus on the flow of chi through your body.
- Practitioners of traditional medicine believe that a blockage in one's chi can lead to physical illness or emotional distress.
- The internal martial arts emphasize the cultivation and direction of chi rather than relying solely on muscular strength to overcome an opponent's force.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.