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倪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
倪nísurname Niunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪nífeeble, tiny, young and weaknr, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪nílimitunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪níboundunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪níextremityunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪níto differentiateunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪níoriginunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
倪nícauseunknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻
ní(Ni2) T2
  1. 1surname Ni
  2. 2feeble, tiny, young and weak
Also a Chinese surname, Ni — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

倪ní(Ni2)

The character 倪 (ní) conveys meanings related to smallness or weakness, often associated with youth or fragility. It can also denote a surname, and in certain contexts, it refers to limits or boundaries. This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literary or formal contexts.

Strokes10Radical亻
Cultural Note

The surname 倪 (Ni) is relatively uncommon but can be found among certain Chinese families, often linked to historical figures or regions. Understanding this character can enrich your knowledge of Chinese surnames and their cultural significance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny, feeble kitten (representing 'young and weak') peeking out from behind a boundary (symbolizing 'limit'). The sound 'ní' can be remembered by associating it with 'knee,' where a small kitten might hide behind a person's knee.

Meanings of 倪

ní(Ni2)
1feeble, tiny, young and weak
2limit
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 倪

倪Simplified
10Strokes
亻Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 倪

JasonAmy

Podcast: 倪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 倪

Usage Notes

While 倪 is used to denote a surname, it can also appear in literary contexts that discuss boundaries or limits. Learners should be aware that using this term in casual conversation may confuse native speakers, as it is not commonly used. Pay attention to tonal pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 倪 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding it can help learners recognize more complex characters that involve similar themes of differentiation or limits. Students should focus on the tone and the context in which it appears in literature or formal writing.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 倪 with similar-sounding characters like 你 (nǐ), which means 'you.' For instance, saying '我叫你' instead of '我叫倪' can be incorrect. Always ensure you use the correct character for the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 倪

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Etymology of 倪

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

A young child 兒

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 倪

  1. 1The giveawayA young child 兒
  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 倪? 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 倪?

Decomposition of 倪

IDS Structure⿰亻兒
倪Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
兒er2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 倪?

How to say surname Ni in Chinese

“surname Ni” in Chinese is倪ní

The character 倪 (ní) conveys meanings related to smallness or weakness, often associated with youth or fragility. It can also denote a surname, and in certain contexts, it refers to limits or boundaries. This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literary or formal contexts.

When to use 倪

While 倪 is used to denote a surname, it can also appear in literary contexts that discuss boundaries or limits. Learners should be aware that using this term in casual conversation may confuse native speakers, as it is not commonly used. Pay attention to tonal pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 倪 with similar-sounding characters like 你 (nǐ), which means 'you.' For instance, saying '我叫你' instead of '我叫倪' can be incorrect. Always ensure you use the correct character for the intended meaning.

Write 倪

倪

Practice writing 倪 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 倪

Words Containing This Character6
端倪boundary
倪nílimit
倪嗣冲Ni Sichong (1868-1924), general closely linked to Yuan Shikai 袁世凱|袁世凯 during his unsuccessful 1915 bid for Empire倪嗣沖
倪桂珍Ni Guizhen or Ni Kwei-Tseng (1869 - 1931), mother of Song Ailing 宋藹齡|宋蔼龄[Sòng​Aǐ​líng], Song Qingling 宋慶齡|宋庆龄[Sòng​Qìng​líng] and Song Meiling 宋美齡|宋美龄[Sòng​Měi​líng]
不可端倪unfathomable
熊倪Xiong Ni (1974-), Chinese diving athlete
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 端倪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 倪

In casual conversation, 倪 is not commonly used, as it is more formal or literary. It's best to use simpler terms to express smallness or weakness.

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Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.