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遗嘱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
遗嘱yízhǔtestamentHSK 7, unknown, 27 strokes, rank #4289, Very Hard
遗嘱yízhǔwillHSK 7, unknown, 27 strokes, rank #4289, Very Hard
yízhǔ(yi2zhu3)yi zhu T2
  1. 1testament
  2. 2will
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March 24, 2026

遗嘱(遺囑)yízhǔ(yi2zhu3)

遗嘱 (yízhǔ) refers to a legal document in which a person outlines their wishes regarding the distribution of their possessions and responsibilities after their death. It is commonly used in legal and familial contexts to ensure that one's final wishes are respected and carried out.

Strokes27Frequency#4289DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, discussing wills and inheritance can be sensitive, often seen as inviting bad luck. However, having a will is increasingly recognized as important for ensuring peace within families after a loved one's passing.

Memory tip

Imagine someone writing their last will under a tree (树, shù). The character 遗 combines 'to leave behind' (遗) and 'will' (嘱), suggesting a legacy left under a mighty tree for future generations.

Meanings of 遗嘱

yízhǔ(yi2zhu3)
1testament
2will
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About 遗嘱

遗嘱Simplified
遺囑Traditional
27Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 遗嘱

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Podcast: 遗嘱

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AI study notes for 遗嘱

Quick Contrast

遗言 (yíyán) refers to the last words or messages spoken by a person before death, while 遗嘱 (yízhǔ) is a formal legal document regarding the distribution of possessions. Use 遗嘱 when discussing legally binding instructions, and 遗言 for spoken farewell messages.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the formal nature of this term; it is typically used in legal and serious discussions. Common collocations include 遗嘱公证 (notarized will) and 遗嘱效力 (validity of a will). Avoid using this term in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Though not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding 遗嘱 helps learners grasp concepts related to legal and familial obligations. Focus on recognizing its components and related terms like 遗产 (inheritance) to build vocabulary around this topic.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 遗嘱 with similar terms like 遗产. For example, saying '我有一个遗产' (I have a will) is incorrect; the correct term is '我有一个遗嘱'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 遗嘱

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Component characters

遗yíto lose
HSK 512 strokes辶
View full entry
嘱zhǔto enjoin
15 strokes口
View full entry

How to say testament in Chinese

“testament” in Chinese is遗嘱yízhǔ

遗嘱 (yízhǔ) refers to a legal document in which a person outlines their wishes regarding the distribution of their possessions and responsibilities after their death. It is commonly used in legal and familial contexts to ensure that one's final wishes are respected and carried out.

When to use 遗嘱

Be mindful of the formal nature of this term; it is typically used in legal and serious discussions. Common collocations include 遗嘱公证 (notarized will) and 遗嘱效力 (validity of a will). Avoid using this term in casual conversation.

遗嘱 or something close to it

遗言 (yíyán) refers to the last words or messages spoken by a person before death, while 遗嘱 (yízhǔ) is a formal legal document regarding the distribution of possessions. Use 遗嘱 when discussing legally binding instructions, and 遗言 for spoken farewell messages.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 遗嘱 with similar terms like 遗产. For example, saying '我有一个遗产' (I have a will) is incorrect; the correct term is '我有一个遗嘱'.

Write 遗嘱

遗
嘱

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Frequently asked questions about 遗嘱

遗嘱 (will) is the document outlining wishes after death, while 遗产 (inheritance) refers to the actual assets and properties passed down.

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