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抑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
抑
yì
to restrain
zg, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #19174, Very Hard
抑
yì
to restrict
zg, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #19174, Very Hard
抑
yì
to keep down
zg, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #19174, Very Hard
抑
yì
or
zg, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #19174, Very Hard
抑
yì
to curb, to hinder; to keep down, to repress
zg, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #19174, Very Hard
yì(yi4)yi T4
1to restrain
2to restrict
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March 24, 2026
抑yì(yi4)
The character 抑 (yì) means to restrain or restrict something. It is commonly used in contexts where one is discussing the act of curbing or hindering actions, emotions, or even social behaviors. This term often carries a nuance of suppression or control, making it suitable for both formal and informal discussions about limits and boundaries.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#19174DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the idea of restraint is often linked to social harmony and the Confucian value of self-control. The concept of 抑 is prevalent in discussions about emotional expression and societal expectations, reflecting the cultural tendency to prioritize group over individual feelings.
Memory tip
Imagine a strong hand (the radical 抑) holding down a balloon (representing emotions or actions), symbolizing the act of repressing or restraining. The sound 'yì' can be remembered by associating it with 'yet,' as in 'yet I must hold back,' which reinforces the idea of restriction.
Meanings of 抑
yì(yi4)
1to restrain
2to restrict
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 抑 means.
About 抑
抑Simplified
7Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#19174Frequency Rank
Podcast: 抑
Podcast: 抑
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AI study notes for 抑
Quick Contrast
抑 (yì) vs 限 (xiàn) — use 抑 when emphasizing suppression or control, while 限 focuses on setting limits or restrictions.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 抑 with similar terms like 限制 (xiànzhì), which also means to limit but is less about emotional restraint. It is important to use 抑 in contexts that imply control or suppression, often in more formal discussions. Be cautious with the tone, as it can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
While 抑 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial for students at an advanced level to understand this character as it connects with themes of control seen in other HSK words such as 限制 (xiànzhì) and 控制 (kòngzhì). Focus on its usage in compound words and phrases.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 抑 in casual contexts where more straightforward verbs like 限制 would be appropriate. For example, saying 抑这个问题 (yì zhège wèntí) is incorrect; it should be 限制这个问题 (xiànzhì zhège wèntí) to mean 'limit this issue.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抑
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 抑 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.
抑 = 扌 + 卬. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 抑
IDS Structure⿰扌卬
抑Full character
=
扌shou3
left
卬Ang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 抑?
How to say to restrain in Chinese
“to restrain” in Chinese is抑yì
The character 抑 (yì) means to restrain or restrict something. It is commonly used in contexts where one is discussing the act of curbing or hindering actions, emotions, or even social behaviors. This term often carries a nuance of suppression or control, making it suitable for both formal and informal discussions about limits and boundaries.
When to use 抑
Learners often confuse 抑 with similar terms like 限制 (xiànzhì), which also means to limit but is less about emotional restraint. It is important to use 抑 in contexts that imply control or suppression, often in more formal discussions. Be cautious with the tone, as it can change the meaning significantly.
抑 or something close to it
抑 (yì) vs 限 (xiàn) — use 抑 when emphasizing suppression or control, while 限 focuses on setting limits or restrictions.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 抑 in casual contexts where more straightforward verbs like 限制 would be appropriate. For example, saying 抑这个问题 (yì zhège wèntí) is incorrect; it should be 限制这个问题 (xiànzhì zhège wèntí) to mean 'limit this issue.'
Write 抑
抑
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Practice writing 抑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 抑
抑 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
埃勒里的归来可以驱散一些____郁的情绪。
Ellery's return will help to chase away some of the gloom.
Example sentences for 抑 (10)
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1
埃勒里的归来可以驱散一些抑郁的情绪。
āi lè lǐ de guī lái kěyǐ qū sǎn yìxiē yìyù de qíngxù。
Ellery's return will help to chase away some of the gloom.
2
评论家们几乎一致贬抑这本书。
pínglùn jiā men jīhū yízhì biǎn yì zhè běn shū。
Reviewers have been almost unanimous in their disparagement of this book.
3
抑郁症使他不止一次地企图自杀。
yìyùzhèng shǐ tā bùzhǐ yī cì dì qǐtú zìshā。
More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide.
4
我因抑郁症休了7个月的病假。
wǒ yīn yìyùzhèng Xiū le7 gè yuè de bìng jiǎ。
I have been on sick leave for seven months with depression.
5
焦虑或抑郁的人吸毒后可能会有非常糟糕的幻觉。
jiāolǜ huò yìyù de rén xīdú hòu kěnéng huì yǒu fēicháng zāogāo de huànjué。
An anxious or depressed person can experience a really bad trip.
6
冬季天短，有些人会变得抑郁消沉。
dōngjì tiān duǎn， yǒuxiē rén huì biàn de yìyù xiāochén。
When the days shorten in winter some people suffer depression.
扶弱抑强fúruòyìqiángto support the weak and restrain the strong (idiom); robbing the rich to help the poor扶弱抑強
抑郁不平yìyùbùpíngin a state of depression (idiom)抑鬱不平
顿挫抑扬dùncuòyìyángcadence頓挫抑揚
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 抑
What does 抑制 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 抑
Phrases like 抑制情绪 (yìzhì qíngxù, to suppress emotions) or 抑制病毒 (yìzhì bìngdú, to curb a virus) are common and illustrate its usage.
While it can be used in everyday conversation, it is more often found in formal contexts, academic discussions, or when discussing psychological or social issues.
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