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March 24, 2026
欹yī(yi1)
The character 欹 (yī) is an interjection used to express a plea or a call for attention. It can be used in informal contexts to draw someone's focus or to emphasize an emotional appeal, often conveying urgency or desperation.
Strokes12Radical欠Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of interjections like 欹 (yī) reflects a deeply rooted emphasis on expressing emotions clearly, especially in personal or family contexts, where emotional appeals carry significant weight.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone leaning over and shouting 'Yī!' to get help, as if they are teetering on the edge of a cliff (the radical for 'leaning' or 'tilt'). The pronunciation 'yī' sounds like 'ee' which can remind you of an urgent call for help, like 'eeek!'
Meanings of 欹
yī(yi1)
1pleading interjection
2interjection
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 欹
欹Simplified
12Strokes
欠Radical
叹词tàncíinterjection (interj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 欹
Podcast: 欹
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AI Study Notes for 欹
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone leaning over and shouting 'Yī!' to get help, as if they are teetering on the edge of a cliff (the radical for 'leaning' or 'tilt'). The pronunciation 'yī' sounds like 'ee' which can remind you of an urgent call for help, like 'eeek!'
Usage Notes
Due to its informal nature, 尤 (yī) should not be used in formal writing or speeches. Learners often confuse it with similar sounding interjections in Mandarin; focusing on the context of urgency can help clarify its use.
HSK Study Tips
While this character is not included in the HSK vocabulary, understanding its use can enhance comprehension of emotional expressions in conversational Mandarin. Students should practice recognizing interjections and their emotional weight in dialogues.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of interjections like 欹 (yī) reflects a deeply rooted emphasis on expressing emotions clearly, especially in personal or family contexts, where emotional appeals carry significant weight.
Common Mistakes
Learners often overuse 欹 (yī) in formal settings or mispronounce it as 'yi', leading to confusion with other characters. Remember to reserve it for informal, emotional contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 欹
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Cultural Notes for 欹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the use of interjections like 欹 (yī) reflects a deeply rooted emphasis on expressing emotions clearly, especially in personal or family contexts, where emotional appeals carry significant weight.
Word Family of 欹
Words Containing This Character1
欹yīinterjection
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 欹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 欹
No, 欹 (yī) is primarily used in informal contexts to express urgency or emotional appeal.
It's typically not used in formal writing; it's more suited for spoken language.
Yes, there are other interjections like 哎 (āi) or 嗯 (ńg) that convey different nuances.
