Meanings of 內
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About 內
Podcast: 內
Podcast: 內
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AI study notes for 內
内 (nèi) vs 里 (lǐ) — use 内 for more formal or abstract contexts, while 里 is often used in everyday speech to refer to physical locations.
Be careful not to confuse 內 (nèi) with 里 (lǐ), which also means 'inside' but can have different usage contexts. 內 is more formal and often appears in written language, while 里 is more commonly used in daily conversation. Also, note that 內 is often used in phrases like 內部 (nèi bù, 'internal') or 內心 (nèi xīn, 'inner heart').
Although 內 is not currently part of the official HSK vocabulary, it's useful for building your understanding of spatial relationships in Mandarin. Focus on how it pairs with other words to convey meaning, particularly in contexts related to places and emotions.
Learners often confuse 內 (nèi) with 外 (wài) and mistakenly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我在外' (Wǒ zài wài, 'I am inside') is incorrect; it should be '我在內' (Wǒ zài nèi).
Pronunciation of 內
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Learning Lab
Knowing 內 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 內
Simplified form of 內. Depicts an entrance (入) to a hall (冂).
A man 入 entering a door 冂
Origin
What kind of character is 內?
Decomposition of 內
Parts
Which of these is part of 內?
How to say inside in Chinese
“inside” in Chinese is內
The character 內 (nèi) means 'inside' and is commonly used to describe something that is within a boundary or enclosure. It can refer to physical space, such as the inside of a room, or abstract concepts, like internal thoughts or feelings. This character is often contrasted with its antonym 外 (wài), which means 'outside'.
When to use 內
Be careful not to confuse 內 (nèi) with 里 (lǐ), which also means 'inside' but can have different usage contexts. 內 is more formal and often appears in written language, while 里 is more commonly used in daily conversation. Also, note that 內 is often used in phrases like 內部 (nèi bù, 'internal') or 內心 (nèi xīn, 'inner heart').
內 or something close to it
内 (nèi) vs 里 (lǐ) — use 内 for more formal or abstract contexts, while 里 is often used in everyday speech to refer to physical locations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 內 (nèi) with 外 (wài) and mistakenly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我在外' (Wǒ zài wài, 'I am inside') is incorrect; it should be '我在內' (Wǒ zài nèi).
Write 內
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Practice writing 內 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 內
內 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他们走近那幢建筑时,____心充满了恐惧.
They were filled with apprehension as they approached the building.
Example sentences for 內 (1)
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Word Family of 內
Characters with 內
What does 内 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 內
You can say '我在內部工作' (Wǒ zài nèi bù gōngzuò), meaning 'I work inside the organization'.
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