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Meaning Index

Chinese characters meaning "proper"

Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "proper", including 得 (de), 宜 (yí). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words, and examples.

How to Study This Meaning Group

The English word "proper" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 得 (de), 宜 (yí) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span de, yí — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 得 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.

  • 得 deobtain; get; gain; proper; suitable; proudUseful words: 觉得, 得到
  • 宜 yíproper; should; suitable; appropriateUseful words: 便宜, 不宜

Common words for these 2 "proper" characters

Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 得 (de) — so "proper" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.

See each character in a sentence

Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "proper".

de — obtain; get; gain; proper; suitable; proud

他跑得很快。Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.He runs very fast.

Common words: 觉得 (jué de)、得到 (dé dào)、记得 (jì de)

— proper; should; suitable; appropriate

这里气候宜人,很适合居住。Zhè lǐ qì hòu yí rén, hěn shì hé jū zhù.The climate here is pleasant and suitable for living.

Common words: 便宜 (biàn yí)、不宜 (bù yí)、适宜 (shì yí)

All 2 characters

Open 得、宜 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.