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抑制 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
抑制yìzhìto inhibitHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7434, Hard
抑制yìzhìto keep downHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7434, Hard
抑制yìzhìto suppressHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7434, Hard
yìzhì(yi4zhi4)yi zhi T4
  1. 1to inhibit
  2. 2to keep down
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March 24, 2026

抑制yìzhì(yi4zhi4)

The term 抑制 (yìzhì) means to inhibit or suppress something, often used in contexts such as emotions, actions, or reactions. It conveys the idea of controlling or restraining a particular force or impulse, making it applicable in both psychological and physical contexts.

Strokes15Frequency#7434DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of 抑制 can relate to balancing emotions and maintaining mental health, reflecting the cultural emphasis on harmony within oneself.

Memory tip

Imagine a strong pressure (抑) pushing down on a spring (制), preventing it from bouncing back. The 'yi' sounds like 'eek' as the spring is held back, creating a vivid image of suppression.

Meanings of 抑制

yìzhì(yi4zhi4)
1to inhibit
2to keep down
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About 抑制

抑制Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 抑制

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AI study notes for 抑制

Quick Contrast

控制 (kòngzhì) - use 抑制 when referring specifically to suppressing emotions or impulses, while 控制 emphasizes broader control over actions or situations.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 抑制 with other similar terms like 限制 (xiànzhì), which means to limit. This word is generally used in formal contexts, such as in academic writing or discussions about health and psychology, so be mindful of the register.

HSK Study Tips

Although 抑制 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with related words like 控制 (kòngzhì, to control) and 限制 (xiànzhì, to limit), which are relevant at HSK Level 5. Focus on understanding the nuances of suppression versus limitation.

Common Mistakes

Learners might incorrectly use 抑制 to mean 'to limit' in every context, but it specifically indicates suppression. For example, saying '我抑制了我的时间' (Wǒ yìzhìle wǒ de shíjiān) is incorrect; it should be '我限制了我的时间' (Wǒ xiànzhìle wǒ de shíjiān).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 抑制

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Component characters

抑yìto restrain
7 strokes扌
View full entry
制zhìsystem
HSK 68 strokes刂
View full entry

How to say to inhibit in Chinese

“to inhibit” in Chinese is抑制yìzhì

The term 抑制 (yìzhì) means to inhibit or suppress something, often used in contexts such as emotions, actions, or reactions. It conveys the idea of controlling or restraining a particular force or impulse, making it applicable in both psychological and physical contexts.

When to use 抑制

Learners often confuse 抑制 with other similar terms like 限制 (xiànzhì), which means to limit. This word is generally used in formal contexts, such as in academic writing or discussions about health and psychology, so be mindful of the register.

抑制 or something close to it

控制 (kòngzhì) - use 抑制 when referring specifically to suppressing emotions or impulses, while 控制 emphasizes broader control over actions or situations.

What learners get wrong

Learners might incorrectly use 抑制 to mean 'to limit' in every context, but it specifically indicates suppression. For example, saying '我抑制了我的时间' (Wǒ yìzhìle wǒ de shíjiān) is incorrect; it should be '我限制了我的时间' (Wǒ xiànzhìle wǒ de shíjiān).

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抑
制

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Frequently asked questions about 抑制

You can say '他抑制了自己的情绪' (Tā yìzhìle zìjǐ de qíngxù), meaning 'He suppressed his emotions.'

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