unknown, 13 strokes, radical 目, rank #34529, Very Hard
yì(yi4) T4
1to spy on
2to spy out
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March 24, 2026
睪yì(yi4)
The character 睪 (yì) means 'to spy on' or 'to spy out.' It is often used in contexts involving observation or surveillance, particularly in discussions about privacy or intelligence gathering. The nuance suggests a stealthy or secretive observation.
Strokes13Radical目Frequency#34529DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of surveillance can be particularly relevant due to historical contexts of governance and social control, where espionage played a significant role. This character may evoke thoughts of historical spies or modern discussions on privacy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of eyes (the two components of 睪) peeking out from behind a tree, cautiously observing something. The sound 'yì' can be remembered by thinking of 'eavesdropping' - both involve secret watching.
Meanings of 睪
yì(yi4)
1to spy on
2to spy out
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 睪
睪Simplified
13Strokes
目Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 睪
Podcast: 睪
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AI Study Notes for 睪
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of eyes (the two components of 睪) peeking out from behind a tree, cautiously observing something. The sound 'yì' can be remembered by thinking of 'eavesdropping' - both involve secret watching.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing yì, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. This word is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more likely to appear in written contexts, such as news articles or literature.
HSK Study Tips
Although this word is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of observation and intelligence, which might be explored in higher-level HSK studies. Students should focus on recognizing the character's components and its usage in formal contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of surveillance can be particularly relevant due to historical contexts of governance and social control, where espionage played a significant role. This character may evoke thoughts of historical spies or modern discussions on privacy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 睪 with 窥 (kuī), which means to peek. For example, using '我在窥别人' is incorrect; it should be '我在睪视别人.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 睪
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Cultural Notes for 睪
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of surveillance can be particularly relevant due to historical contexts of governance and social control, where espionage played a significant role. This character may evoke thoughts of historical spies or modern discussions on privacy.
Word Family of 睪
Words Containing This Character1
睪yìto spy out
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 睪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 睪
You can use 睪 in a sentence like '他在睪视别人' (He is spying on others).
Yes, synonyms include 窥 (kuī), which also means to peek or spy.
No, it is more commonly found in literary or formal contexts rather than casual conversation.
