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譯 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
譯yìto translate, to interpret; to encode, to decodex, 20 strokes, radical 言, rank #65019, Very Hard
yì(yi4) T4
  1. 1to translate, to interpret; to encode, to decode
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

譯yì(yi4)

The character 譯 (yì) refers to the act of translating or interpreting spoken or written language. It can also imply encoding or decoding information, such as in a linguistic or technical context. Commonly used in discussions about language services and communication, it emphasizes the importance of conveying meaning accurately across different languages.

Strokes20Radical言Frequency#65019DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, translation is not only about language but also involves cultural nuance and context. The profession of translating has a long history in China, especially during the periods of cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

Memory Tip

Imagine a translator standing on a bridge (the character's radical 言 means 'speech') connecting two lands (languages). The bridge helps people understand each other, just as 譯 helps decode and encode messages, allowing communication to flow smoothly.

Meanings of 譯

yì(yi4)
1to translate, to interpret; to encode, to decode
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 譯

譯Simplified
20Strokes
言Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 譯

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Podcast: 譯

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 譯

Quick Contrast

翻 (fān) — use 譯 (yì) when focusing on the process of translating language, while 翻 (fān) often emphasizes the act of flipping or turning over.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 譯 with other similar characters like 译, which is a simplified version used in Mainland China. It is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in literature and professional settings. Be cautious of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 譯 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is related to other HSK words about language and communication. Focus on recognizing its components and usage in phrases like 翻譯 (fān yì) for 'translation' to build a stronger vocabulary around language.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 譯 when they should use 译 in simplified contexts or vice versa. For example, saying '我需要翻譯这本书' (Wǒ xūyào fānyì zhè běn shū) is correct, but writing 譯 instead of 译 in simplified contexts is a common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 譯

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Etymology of 譯

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Spies' 睪 words 言; 睪 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 譯

  1. 1The giveawaySpies' 睪 words 言; 睪 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

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

Want the full history of 譯? 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 譯?

Decomposition of 譯

IDS Structure⿰言睪
譯Full Character
=
言yan2
left
睪yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 譯?

How to say to translate, to interpret; to encode, to decode in Chinese

“to translate, to interpret; to encode, to decode” in Chinese is譯yì

The character 譯 (yì) refers to the act of translating or interpreting spoken or written language. It can also imply encoding or decoding information, such as in a linguistic or technical context. Commonly used in discussions about language services and communication, it emphasizes the importance of conveying meaning accurately across different languages.

When to use 譯

Learners often confuse 譯 with other similar characters like 译, which is a simplified version used in Mainland China. It is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in literature and professional settings. Be cautious of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

譯 or something close to it

翻 (fān) — use 譯 (yì) when focusing on the process of translating language, while 翻 (fān) often emphasizes the act of flipping or turning over.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 譯 when they should use 译 in simplified contexts or vice versa. For example, saying '我需要翻譯这本书' (Wǒ xūyào fānyì zhè běn shū) is correct, but writing 譯 instead of 译 in simplified contexts is a common error.

Write 譯

譯

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 譯

Words Containing This Character20
翻译fānyìto translate翻譯
破译to break a code破譯
译yìto translate譯
编译to translate and edit編譯
直译literal translation直譯
译文translated text譯文
音译transcription (linguistics)音譯
译员interpreter譯員
译名translated names譯名
译本translation (translated version of a text)譯本
口译interpreting口譯
意译paraphrase意譯
译者translator (of writing)譯者
译成to translate into (Chinese, English etc)譯成
传译to translate傳譯
译音transliteration譯音
摘译quoted (from)摘譯
机器翻译machine translation機器翻譯
笔译written translation筆譯
编译器compiler編譯器
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 翻译 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 譯

譯 is the traditional form used in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong, while 译 is the simplified form used in Mainland China.

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