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March 24, 2026
椅yǐ(yi3)
The character 椅 (yǐ) refers to a chair or seat, typically used for sitting. This term is commonly encountered in contexts related to furniture, seating arrangements, and discussions about comfort or interior design.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#9830DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, the type of chair can signify status and role in social gatherings, with certain chairs used in formal settings like tea ceremonies. The design of chairs may also reflect the aesthetics of Chinese craftsmanship.
Memory tip
Imagine a chair (椅) made from a tree (木). The character has the tree radical (木) on the left, suggesting it's made of wood. You can remember 'yǐ' by thinking of 'you' sitting on this wooden chair.
Meanings of 椅
yǐ(yi3)
1chair
2chair, seat
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 椅 means.
About 椅
椅Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#9830Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 椅
Podcast: 椅
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AI study notes for 椅
Quick Contrast
椅 (chair) vs 沙发 (sofa) — use 椅 when referring specifically to a chair, while 沙发 indicates a larger seating option for multiple people.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 椅 with other similar characters like 桌 (zhuō), which means table. The word is generally informal, but can be used in various settings, including homes and offices. Common collocations include 椅子 (yǐzi), meaning 'chair'.
HSK Study Tips
Though not explicitly categorized in HSK levels, 椅 is useful for HSK 2 learners who are expanding their vocabulary related to furniture. Students should focus on recognizing similar characters and their radicals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 椅子 (yǐzi) in formal contexts when 椅 (yǐ) is more appropriate. For example, saying '我坐在椅子上' (Wǒ zuò zài yǐzi shàng) instead of '我坐在椅上' can sound overly casual.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 椅
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 椅 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.
椅 = 木 + 奇. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 椅
IDS Structure⿰木奇
椅Full character
=
木Mu4
left
奇ji1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 椅?
How to say chair in Chinese
“chair” in Chinese is椅yǐ
The character 椅 (yǐ) refers to a chair or seat, typically used for sitting. This term is commonly encountered in contexts related to furniture, seating arrangements, and discussions about comfort or interior design.
When to use 椅
Be careful not to confuse 椅 with other similar characters like 桌 (zhuō), which means table. The word is generally informal, but can be used in various settings, including homes and offices. Common collocations include 椅子 (yǐzi), meaning 'chair'.
椅 or something close to it
椅 (chair) vs 沙发 (sofa) — use 椅 when referring specifically to a chair, while 沙发 indicates a larger seating option for multiple people.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 椅子 (yǐzi) in formal contexts when 椅 (yǐ) is more appropriate. For example, saying '我坐在椅子上' (Wǒ zuò zài yǐzi shàng) instead of '我坐在椅上' can sound overly casual.
Write 椅
椅
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Grammar patterns of 椅
椅 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
