Meanings of 衣
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About 衣
Podcast: 衣
Podcast: 衣
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AI Study Notes for 衣
衣 (clothing) vs 裤 (pants) — choose 衣 when referring to general clothing, not specific types like 裤.
Imagine a person wearing a large coat that covers their whole body, symbolizing the character 衣 (yī) for 'clothes'. The top part of the character looks like a coat draped over a hanger, helping you remember that it relates to wearing and dressing.
Watch out for the correct pronunciation; beginners may confuse it with similar-sounding words. 衣 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, so it’s versatile. Common collocations include phrases like 穿衣 (chuān yī - to wear clothes) and 衣服 (yīfú - clothes).
Although 衣 is not specifically assigned an HSK level, it connects with other basic vocabulary around daily life and clothing, such as 裤子 (kùzi - pants) and 上衣 (shàngyī - upper garment). Focus on practicing phrases that involve wearing or discussing clothing.
In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and is significant during festivals and ceremonies. For example, traditional clothing like the qipao (旗袍) is commonly worn during celebrations, showcasing the importance of apparel in cultural identity.
Learners often confuse 衣 with similar characters that denote other concepts, such as 衣 (yī - clothes) and 义 (yì - righteousness). An incorrect use might be saying '我穿衣鞋' (Wǒ chuān yīxié - I wear clothes shoes), where '衣鞋' should just be '鞋' (xié - shoes).
Pronunciation of 衣
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Etymology of 衣
Pictograph of a coat.
A woman's dress
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 衣?
Decomposition of 衣
Identify the Components
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Write 衣
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Practice writing 衣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 衣
衣 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 5 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.
Complete the Sentence
你的____服很好看。
Your clothes look great.
Example Sentences for 衣 (10)
Cultural Notes for 衣
In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and is significant during festivals and ceremonies. For example, traditional clothing like the qipao (旗袍) is commonly worn during celebrations, showcasing the importance of apparel in cultural identity.
Word Family of 衣
Compound Meaning
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Frequently Asked Questions about 衣
衣 (yī) specifically refers to clothing or garments in a general sense, while 衣服 (yīfú) is more commonly used and refers to clothes in a broader context, often encompassing various types of apparel.