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异 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
异
yì
different
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
other
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
hetero-
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
unusual
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
strange
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
surprising
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
to distinguish
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
to separate
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
to discriminate
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
异
yì
different, strange, unusual; foreign; surprising
zg, 6 strokes, radical 廾, rank #3342, Hard
yì(yi4)yi T4
1different
2other
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March 24, 2026
异(異)yì(yi4)
The character 异 (yì) primarily means 'different' or 'other.' It is often used to describe something unusual or strange, and can imply a sense of distinction or separation between things. In various contexts, it may refer to differences in opinions, cultures, or characteristics.
Strokes6Radical廾Frequency#3342DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '异' often relates to diversity and the appreciation of differences among people, especially in discussions of ethnicities and ideas. This is reflected in the phrase '异彩纷呈' (yìcǎi fēnchéng), which means a variety of colors, symbolizing diversity.
Memory tip
Imagine a pair of socks, one red and one blue. The contrasting colors represent '异' (yì), meaning different. The character itself resembles a person (亻) standing apart from a group (异), emphasizing the idea of separation or distinction.
Meanings of 异
yì(yi4)
1different
2other
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 异
异Simplified
異Traditional
6Strokes
廾Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3342Frequency Rank
Podcast: 异
Podcast: 异
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AI study notes for 异
Quick Contrast
异 (yì) vs 不同 (bùtóng) — choose 异 for a nuance of unusual or strange, while 不同 emphasizes mere difference.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 异 with 相 (xiāng), which means 'mutual' or 'each other.' Be mindful of the tone; 异 is pronounced with a fourth tone (yì), not the second (yí). This character frequently appears in phrases like '异国' (yìguó), meaning 'foreign country.'
HSK Study Tips
While 异 is not officially categorized in HSK levels, it connects with other words reflecting differences or abnormalities, such as '不同' (bùtóng, different) and '异常' (yìcháng, abnormal). Students should practice using it in various contexts to understand its nuances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 异 with 其他 (qítā, other), leading to incorrect phrases such as '异其他' instead of simply using '其他'. Another mistake is mispronouncing the tone, saying 'yí' instead of 'yì'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 异
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The character 异 (yì) primarily means 'different' or 'other.' It is often used to describe something unusual or strange, and can imply a sense of distinction or separation between things. In various contexts, it may refer to differences in opinions, cultures, or characteristics.
When to use 异
Common mistakes include confusing 异 with 相 (xiāng), which means 'mutual' or 'each other.' Be mindful of the tone; 异 is pronounced with a fourth tone (yì), not the second (yí). This character frequently appears in phrases like '异国' (yìguó), meaning 'foreign country.'
异 or something close to it
异 (yì) vs 不同 (bùtóng) — choose 异 for a nuance of unusual or strange, while 不同 emphasizes mere difference.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 异 with 其他 (qítā, other), leading to incorrect phrases such as '异其他' instead of simply using '其他'. Another mistake is mispronouncing the tone, saying 'yí' instead of 'yì'.
Write 异
异
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Grammar patterns of 异
异 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
However, many customers found the smell of this product distinctly off-putting.
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Word Family of 异
Words containing this character20
异常yìchángexceptional異常
差异chāyìdifference差異
异yìother異
怪异guàiyìmonstrous怪異
诡异guǐyìstrange詭異
异性yìxìngthe opposite sex異性
异议yìyìobjection異議
变异biànyìvariation變異
奇异qíyìfantastic奇異
优异yōuyìexceptional優異
异教徒yìjiàotúheathen異教徒
异地yìdìabroad異地
特异性tèyìxìngspecific特異性
异国yìguóexotic異國
诧异chàyìflabbergasted詫異
异样yìyàngdifference異樣
无异wúyìnothing other than無異
惊异jīngyìamazed驚異
各异gèyìall different各異
特异tèyìexcellent特異
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 异
What does 异常 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 异
异 is pronounced as yì in Mandarin. The tone is the fourth tone, which is a falling tone, so it's pronounced with a sharp drop in pitch.
Some synonyms for 异 include 不同 (bùtóng), which means 'different,' and 奇怪 (qíguài), meaning 'strange.' These words can be used interchangeably depending on the context of the conversation.
You can use 异 in sentences to describe differences or to denote something that is strange. For example, '这两个地方的文化很异' means 'The cultures of these two places are very different.' This shows how the character can convey contrast in cultural contexts.
异 (yì) means 'different' or 'other' in Chinese. It can also imply something unusual or strange. This character is often used in contexts where a distinction is made or when something is out of the ordinary.
Common phrases include '异国' (yìguó, foreign country) and '异常' (yìcháng, abnormal).
It can be both; while it often denotes difference, it can also imply something surprising or remarkable, depending on the context.
You can say '他的想法很异' (Tā de xiǎngfǎ hěn yì), meaning 'His ideas are very different.'
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