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毅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
毅yìfirm and resolutenr, 15 strokes, radical 殳, Hard
毅yìstaunchnr, 15 strokes, radical 殳, Hard
毅yìdecisive, firm, resolutenr, 15 strokes, radical 殳, Hard
yì(yi4) T4
  1. 1firm and resolute
  2. 2staunch
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

毅yì(yi4)

The character 毅 (yì) means firm, resolute, or staunch. It is often used to describe a person's determination or decisiveness in making choices and sticking to them, especially in challenging situations. This character conveys a sense of strength and unwavering commitment.

Strokes15Radical殳Frequency#3086DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of being 毅 is highly valued, especially in the context of perseverance through adversity. This character is often associated with historical figures known for their steadfastness and commitment to their ideals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong tree (representing 'firmness') standing resolutely against a storm. The character 毅 resembles a tree with its roots deep in the ground, symbolizing strength and stability, while the sound 'yì' can remind you of a 'yes' vote, indicating a firm decision.

Meanings of 毅

yì(yi4)
1firm and resolute
2staunch
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 毅

毅Simplified
15Strokes
殳Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 毅

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Podcast: 毅

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 毅

Quick Contrast

坚定 (jiān dìng) vs 决定 (jué dìng) — choose 毅 (yì) to emphasize a person's unwavering determination rather than just a firm decision.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 毅 with similar-sounding characters that have softer meanings. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in motivational phrases or literature. Be careful with the tone; the fourth tone (yì) should be pronounced firmly.

HSK Study Tips

Although 毅 is not listed in the HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners focusing on advanced vocabulary. Students should also connect it to other characters related to strength and determination, such as 力 (lì, strength) and 决 (jué, decide).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 毅 with characters like 易 (yì), which means easy. It's important to remember that 毅 conveys strength, while 易 is about simplicity. Ensure you practice the tones correctly to avoid confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 毅

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Etymology of 毅

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

tool

Semantic (meaning)殳
+
Phonetic (sound)豙
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 毅

  1. 1The meaning half殳 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half豙 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytool
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 毅? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 毅?

Decomposition of 毅

IDS Structure⿰豙殳
毅Full Character
=
豙yi4
left
殳Shu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 毅?

How to say firm and resolute in Chinese

“firm and resolute” in Chinese is毅yì

The character 毅 (yì) means firm, resolute, or staunch. It is often used to describe a person's determination or decisiveness in making choices and sticking to them, especially in challenging situations. This character conveys a sense of strength and unwavering commitment.

When to use 毅

Common mistakes include confusing 毅 with similar-sounding characters that have softer meanings. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in motivational phrases or literature. Be careful with the tone; the fourth tone (yì) should be pronounced firmly.

毅 or something close to it

坚定 (jiān dìng) vs 决定 (jué dìng) — choose 毅 (yì) to emphasize a person's unwavering determination rather than just a firm decision.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 毅 with characters like 易 (yì), which means easy. It's important to remember that 毅 conveys strength, while 易 is about simplicity. Ensure you practice the tones correctly to avoid confusion.

Write 毅

毅

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 毅

毅 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

指挥将该作品情感上的____然决然这一主旨充分表现了出来。

The conductor brought home the full thrust of the work's emotional resolution.

Example Sentences for 毅 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
指挥将该作品情感上的毅然决然这一主旨充分表现了出来。

zhǐ huī jiāng gāi zuò pǐn qíng gǎn shàng de yì rán jué rán zhè yī zhǔ zhǐ chōng fēn biǎo xiàn le chū lái。

The conductor brought home the full thrust of the work's emotional resolution.
2
我知道我有毅力做这事儿。

wǒ zhī dào wǒ yǒu yì lì zuò zhè shì ér。

I know I've got the willpower to do it.
3
强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志.

qiáng jiàn de fāng xià bā shì gāng yì xìng gé de biāo zhì.

A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.

Word Family of 毅

Compounds1
藙
Words Containing This Character14
毅力yìlìperseverance
毅然yìránfirmly
坚毅firm and persistent堅毅
毅yìstaunch
陈毅Chen Yi (1901-1972), communist general and politician, Marshal of PLA from 1955, Mayor of Shanghai in 1950s, PRC foreign minister 1958-1972陳毅
刚毅gāngyìresolute剛毅
范志毅Fan Zhiyi (1969-), soccer player
毅然决然without hesitation毅然決然
荣毅仁Rong Yiren (1916-2005), PRC Vice President from 1993-1998, played an important role in opening Chinese economy to Western investors榮毅仁
有毅力persevering
方毅Fang Yi (1916-1997), senior party apparatchik
刘毅Liu Yi (-412), general of Eastern Jin dynasty 東晉|东晋[Dōng​Jìn] (317-420)劉毅
柳毅传story of Liu Yi, Tang fantasy fiction by Li Chaowei 李朝威, popular with dramatist of subsequent dynasties柳毅傳
刚毅木讷resolute and taciturn (idiom)剛毅木訥
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 毅力 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 毅

You can use it in phrases like '毅力' (yìlì), meaning perseverance, to describe someone who shows determination.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 毅?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.