unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #61660, Very Hard
腋
yè
(botany) axil
unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #61660, Very Hard
腋
yè
Taiwan pr. [yi4]
unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #61660, Very Hard
yè(ye4) T4
1armpit
2(biology) axilla
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March 24, 2026
腋yè(ye4)
The character 腋 (yè) refers to the armpit, which is the area beneath the junction of the arm and the shoulder. In biological terms, it can also denote the axilla, while in botany, it refers to the axil, the angle between a leaf and the stem. It's commonly used in medical and anatomical contexts.
Strokes12Radical⺼Frequency#61660DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the armpit is believed to be a significant area for various health assessments, reflecting the holistic understanding of the body in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with their arms raised, and their armpits (腋) are highlighted. The character has the radical for flesh (月) on the left, reminding you that it relates to a part of the body. The pronunciation 'yè' can be linked to the word 'yes,' as in, 'Yes, that's my armpit!'
Meanings of 腋
yè(ye4)
1armpit
2(biology) axilla
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 腋
腋Simplified
12Strokes
⺼Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 腋
Podcast: 腋
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AI Study Notes for 腋
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it's often confused with the phonetic 'yi4' in Taiwan. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as medical literature. It often collocates with terms related to anatomy and health.
HSK Study Tips
While 腋 (yè) is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners at the HSK 3-4 level who are expanding their knowledge of body parts and health-related vocabulary. Focus on understanding its anatomical context to enhance your medical vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 腋 as 'yi4' instead of 'yè.' Additionally, some may confuse it with other body parts, such as using 腋 when they mean 胳膊 (arm).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 腋
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Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 夜 represents the sound. Originally written as 亦.
1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
2The sound half夜 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayflesh
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 腋? 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 腋?
Decomposition of 腋
IDS Structure⿰⺼夜
腋Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
夜ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 腋?
How to say armpit in Chinese
“armpit” in Chinese is腋yè
The character 腋 (yè) refers to the armpit, which is the area beneath the junction of the arm and the shoulder. In biological terms, it can also denote the axilla, while in botany, it refers to the axil, the angle between a leaf and the stem. It's commonly used in medical and anatomical contexts.
When to use 腋
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it's often confused with the phonetic 'yi4' in Taiwan. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as medical literature. It often collocates with terms related to anatomy and health.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 腋 as 'yi4' instead of 'yè.' Additionally, some may confuse it with other body parts, such as using 腋 when they mean 胳膊 (arm).
Write 腋
腋
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Practice writing 腋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 腋
腋 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 4 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
护士把体温计甩了甩，然后放到了我的____下。
The nurse shook the thermometer and put it under my armpit.
Example Sentences for 腋 (6)
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1
护士把体温计甩了甩，然后放到了我的腋下。
hù shì bǎ tǐ wēn jì shuǎi le shuǎi， ， rán hòu fàng dào le wǒ de yè。
The nurse shook the thermometer and put it under my armpit.
