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乂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
乂yìto govern; to control; to nurturezg, 2 strokes, radical 丿
乂yìto regulateunknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿
乂yìto mowunknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿
yì(yi4)yi T4
  1. 1to govern; to control; to nurture
  2. 2to regulate
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March 24, 2026

乂yì(yi4)

The character 乂 (yì) primarily means 'to govern' or 'to control.' It is often used in contexts related to management, regulation, or nurturing, suggesting a sense of oversight and care. This character can also be associated with the act of mowing, indicating a methodical approach to tending to growth.

Strokes2Radical丿
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese governance, the concept of control and nurturing is deeply rooted in Confucian ideals, where leaders are expected to care for their subjects much like a gardener tends to plants. This reflects a holistic view of leadership that emphasizes moral responsibility.

Memory Tip

Imagine holding a pair of scissors (乂) that you use to carefully govern and nurture your garden. The shape of the character resembles two blades crossing, which symbolizes the act of controlling what grows and what is trimmed away.

Meanings of 乂

yì(yi4)
1to govern; to control; to nurture
2to regulate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 乂

乂Simplified
2Strokes
丿Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 乂

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Podcast: 乂

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AI Study Notes for 乂

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 乂 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal contexts or written Chinese. Common mistakes include confusing it with characters that have similar meanings, so ensure you understand the nuances of governance versus simple control. It often appears in phrases about management or regulation.

HSK Study Tips

While 乂 is not included in the HSK levels, it can be connected to other governance-related words in advanced study. Focus on recognizing its use in compound words or contexts that discuss leadership or management, as this will expand your understanding of its application.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 乂 with 义 (yì), which means 'righteousness.' An incorrect example would be using 乂 to express moral duty instead of governance. Always ensure you understand the context to choose the correct character.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 乂

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Etymology of 乂

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a scissors-like tool for cutting grass.

Memory Hint

Shears, for cultivating a garden

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 乂?

Decomposition of 乂

IDS Structure⿻丿?
乂Full Character
=
丿pie3
outer
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 乂?

How to say to govern; to control; to nurture in Chinese

“to govern; to control; to nurture” in Chinese is乂yì

The character 乂 (yì) primarily means 'to govern' or 'to control.' It is often used in contexts related to management, regulation, or nurturing, suggesting a sense of oversight and care. This character can also be associated with the act of mowing, indicating a methodical approach to tending to growth.

When to use 乂

Be mindful that 乂 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal contexts or written Chinese. Common mistakes include confusing it with characters that have similar meanings, so ensure you understand the nuances of governance versus simple control. It often appears in phrases about management or regulation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 乂 with 义 (yì), which means 'righteousness.' An incorrect example would be using 乂 to express moral duty instead of governance. Always ensure you understand the context to choose the correct character.

Write 乂

乂

Practice writing 乂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 乂

Words Containing This Character1
乂yìto regulate

Frequently Asked Questions about 乂

Common phrases include 乂政 (yìzhèng), meaning 'to govern,' and 乂理 (yìlǐ), meaning 'to regulate.'

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