Learn Chinese Characters

Meaning

idea; meaning; wish; desire; (abbr.) Italy

Chinese: 意思、意愿或想法。

Hear the Four Tones

The same syllable “yi” becomes a different word in each tone. 意 is the 4th tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.

Stroke Order

Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.

Common Words

  • 愿意yuàn yìto wish; to want; ready; willing (to do sth)
  • 意思yì siidea; opinion; meaning; wish
  • 意见yì jiànidea; opinion; suggestion; objection
  • 满意mǎn yìsatisfied; pleased; to one's satisfaction
  • 故意gù yìdeliberately; on purpose

Example Sentence

谢谢你的好意。Xiè xie nǐ de hǎo yì.Thank you for your kindness.

谢谢Xiè xieto thankyoudeof好意hǎo yìgood intention

Go deeper

Where this character comes from

Sound (音) over heart (心): what the heart voices — ‘meaning; idea, thought; intention; wish’.

A way to remember it

The voice (音) of the heart (心) — meaning, intention.

Easy to confuse with

  • yīn‘Sound’: the top half of 意, on its own.