Pinyin "zhi4"
In MandarinBanana's mnemonic system, the Pinyin syllable "zhi4" is split up into two parts: "zh" and "Ø4". You can visit the Pinyin index to see how other Pinyin syllables are split up into initials and finals.
Mnemonics for Pinyin initial "zh"
Zh is for James II of England (詹姆斯二世, zhānmǔsī èrshì).
Mnemonics for Pinyin final "Ø4"
In the space station's bathroom.
Characters pronounced zhi4
to arrive / most / to / until
至
=
一
+
厶
+
土
:
Mnemonic symbol: one of these conveyor belts from which you pick up your suitcase when you arrived at an airport. James II of England (zh) finally got the package he was waiting for! He picks it up from the arrivals (至) in the bathroom of the space station (Ø4). In it is a flute (一), which he sticks into his nose (厶). He blows his nose, and boy, does a lot of clay (土) come out! He's glad to have a free nose again.
sign / mark / to record / to write a footnote
志
=
士
+
心
:
Mnemonic symbol: a sticky note. James II of England (zh) writes down his poems on sticky notes (志) in the space station's bathroom (Ø4). As he reads them to the bachelor (士), the bachelor is really moved by James II of England's ambitions (志) and wants to give James II of England his heart (心).
to manufacture / to make
制
=
牛
+
巾
+
刂
:
James II of England (zh) and the bull (牛) have to work in a sweatshop in the space station's bathroom (Ø4) where they manufacture (制) one printed circuit board (制) after the other. Their only tools are kitchen knives (刂) with which they carve the boards. They sweat a lot, so each of them has a towel (巾) wrapped around their neck.
to rule / to govern / to manage / to control / to harness (a river) / to treat (a disease) / to wipe out (a pest) / to punish / to research
wisdom / knowledge
智
=
日
+
知
:
In the space station's bathroom (Ø4), the sun (日), Francis Bacon (知) and James II of England (zh) are competing for who's the most knowledgeable of them. They all present each other their smartphones (智能) on which they use apps to determine their IQ (智商). In the end it turns out that they are all retarded (弱智).
character / nature / quality / plain / to pawn / pledge / hostage / to question / Taiwan pr. [zhi2]
质
=
⺁
+
十
+
贝
:
James II of England (zh) captured a crab (贝) and keeps it as a hostage (质) In the space station's bathroom (Ø4). James II of England wants to find out more about the nature (质) of the banana tree (⺁), so all the crab gets to eat is the banana trees. Secretly the crab set up a small cross (十) to which it prays everyday for its release.
worm-like invertebrate / mythical animal (see 獬豸[xie4 zhi4]) / radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 153)
豸
=
丿
+
丶
+
亅
:
Mnemonic symbol: a bug. James II of England (zh) wakes up in the space station's bathroom (Ø4) and finds that he changed into a bug overnight. Looking for food he finds a banana (丿) and starts eating it, but soon he is discovered and going to be smashed by a crowbar (亅). He can only defend himself by holding a petal leave (丶) over his head.