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疫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
epidemicHSK 5, n, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #29288, Very Hard
plagueHSK 5, n, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #29288, Very Hard
epidemic, plague, pestilenceHSK 5, n, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #29288, Very Hard
(yi4) T4
  1. 1epidemic
  2. 2plague
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(yi4)

The character 疫 (yì) refers to an epidemic or plague, specifically a widespread disease affecting many individuals. It is commonly used in medical contexts to discuss outbreaks and public health issues, highlighting its significance in understanding disease transmission and prevention.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#29288DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The concept of 疫 is particularly relevant in contemporary Chinese society, especially in light of recent global health crises like COVID-19. Understanding this term helps learners grasp the importance of public health measures in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sick person with a 'yeti' (sounds like 'yì') lurking nearby, spreading illness. The character 疫 has the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, reinforcing its connection to disease. Visualize the yeti as a giant, invisible illness, reminding you of the word's meaning.

Meanings of 疫

(yi4)
1epidemic
2plague
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 疫

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#29288Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5

Podcast: 疫

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 疫

Quick Contrast

疫情 (yìqīng) vs 疫病 (yìbìng): use 疫 for the general concept of epidemic, while 疫情 specifically refers to the situation or status of an epidemic.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a sick person with a 'yeti' (sounds like 'yì') lurking nearby, spreading illness. The character 疫 has the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, reinforcing its connection to disease. Visualize the yeti as a giant, invisible illness, reminding you of the word's meaning.

Usage Notes

When using 疫, be aware that it is typically used in formal contexts related to health and medicine. It's often collocated with words like '流行' (liúxíng, prevalent) to form '流行病' (liúxíngbìng, epidemic) and should be used carefully to avoid confusion with less severe health issues.

HSK Study Tips

Although 疫 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other health-related terms that learners may encounter. Focus on understanding its usage within the context of public health discussions and familiarize yourself with common collocations.

Cultural Note

The concept of 疫 is particularly relevant in contemporary Chinese society, especially in light of recent global health crises like COVID-19. Understanding this term helps learners grasp the importance of public health measures in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 疫 with similar-sounding words like '义' (yì, meaning righteousness). Remember that 疫 specifically relates to epidemics. For example, saying '我得了义' (wǒ déle yì, 'I caught righteousness') is incorrect; it should be '我得了疫情' (wǒ déle yìqíng, 'I caught an epidemic').

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 疫

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Etymology of 疫

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

sickness

Semantic (meaning)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 疫?

Decomposition of 疫

IDS Structure⿸疒殳
Full Character
=
ne4
enclosing
Shu1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 疫?

Write 疫

Practice writing 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 疫

疫 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

卫生官员成功地将____情控制在塔巴廷加地区。

Health officials have successfully confined the epidemic to the Tabatinga area.

Example Sentences for 疫 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
卫生官员成功地将疫情控制在塔巴廷加地区。

wèi shēng guān yuán chéng gōng dì jiāng yì qíng kòng zhì zài tǎ bā tíng jiā dì qū。

Health officials have successfully confined the epidemic to the Tabatinga area.
2
由于幼虫对药物有免疫力,因此必须经常喷药。

yóu yú yòu chóng duì yào wù yǒu miǎn yì lì, , yīn cǐ bì xū jīng cháng pēn。

Because of the immunity of the immature insects, it'simportant to spray regularly.
3
病人的免疫系统会对移植器官产生异质排斥反应。

bìng rén de miǎn yì xì tǒng huì duì yí zhí qì guān chǎn shēng yì zhì pái chì fǎn yīng。

The patient'simmune system would reject the transplanted organ as a foreign object.
4
可以采取疫苗接种和其他预防措施。

kě yǐ cǎi qǔ yì miáo jiē zhǒng hé qí tā yù fáng cuò shī。

Vaccination and other prophylactic measures can be carried out.
5
盼望有一天有人会研制出一种能有效预防疟疾的疫苗。

pàn wàng yǒu yī tiān yǒu rén huì yán zhì chū yī zhǒng néng yǒu xiào yù fáng nüè jí de yì miáo。

Roll on the day someone develops an effective vaccine against malaria.
6
他的狗注射过狂犬疫苗。

tā de gǒu zhù shè guò kuáng quǎn yì miáo。

His dogs were inoculated against rabies.
7
这条狗被检疫隔离了六个月。

zhè tiáo gǒu bèi jiǎn yì gé lí le liù gè yuè。

The dog was kept in quarantine for six months.
8
这是一种良好的疫苗, 尤其对喂饲残羹的猪.

zhè shì yī zhǒng liáng hǎo de yì miáo, , yóu qí duì wèi sì cán gēng de.

It is a good vaccine, particularly in pigs fed on swill.
9
接种疫苗的成本合计约60万美元。

jiē zhǒng yì miáo de chéng běn hé jì yuē60 60 wàn měi。

The cost of the immunizations was about $600,000 all told.
10
目的: 观察罗汉果甜甙对小鼠细胞免疫功能的调节作用.

mù de: : guān chá luó hàn guǒ tián dài duì xiǎo shǔ xì bāo miǎn yì gōng néng de tiáo jié zuò.

Objective : To investigate the cellular immunological effect of mogrosides in the mice.

Cultural Notes for 疫

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 疫 is particularly relevant in contemporary Chinese society, especially in light of recent global health crises like COVID-19. Understanding this term helps learners grasp the importance of public health measures in Chinese culture.

Word Family of 疫

Words Containing This Character16
免疫miǎnyìimmunity (to disease)
疫苗yìmiáovaccine
瘟疫wēnyìepidemic
疫情epidemic situation
检疫quarantine檢疫
鼠疫plague
免疫力immunity
防疫fángyìdisease prevention
epidemic
疫病plague
疫区epidemic area疫區
免疫学immunology免疫學
口蹄疫aphthous fever
免疫法immunization
卫生防疫epidemic-prevention衛生防疫
兽疫epizootic獸疫
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 免疫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 疫

It is pronounced as 'yì', with a falling tone.