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缢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
缢yìto hang; to strangleg, 13 strokes, radical 纟, rank #72989, Very Hard
缢yìto strangle oneselfunknown, 13 strokes, radical 纟, rank #72989, Very Hard
yì(yi4)yi T4
  1. 1to hang; to strangle
  2. 2to strangle oneself
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March 24, 2026

缢(縊)yì(yi4)

The character 缢 (yì) primarily means 'to hang' or 'to strangle,' often used in contexts related to hanging objects or as a metaphor for suffocation. It can also denote self-strangulation or suicide, bearing a serious and grim connotation. This word is less commonly used in everyday conversation and often appears in literature or discussions about death and violence.

Strokes13Radical纟Frequency#72989DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, discussions of death and suicide are often approached with caution due to societal stigma. The character 缢 reflects a serious aspect of life that is sometimes depicted in historical literature and modern media.

Memory tip

Imagine a noose hanging from a tree—a reminder that 'yì' sounds like 'yee' when you gasp for breath after being strangled. The character's radical '纟' (silk) could evoke an image of a thin rope used to hang or strangle.

Meanings of 缢

yì(yi4)
1to hang; to strangle
2to strangle oneself
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 缢

缢Simplified
縊Traditional
13Strokes
纟Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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AI study notes for 缢

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 缢 (yì) with similar-sounding characters that have less severe meanings. It is used primarily in literary or formal contexts, so it's important to avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include phrases relating to death or violence, which can be sensitive topics.

HSK Study Tips

Although 缢 (yì) is not specifically included in the HSK curriculum, understanding this character can enhance comprehension of more complex vocabulary related to life and death, especially in literary texts. Focus on recognizing its use in context rather than trying to use it conversationally.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 缢 in casual contexts, mistakenly thinking it can be applied to lighter situations, such as joking about hanging clothes. Correct usage would strictly relate it to serious themes of hanging or strangle.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 缢

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Etymology of 缢

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)益
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

缢 = 纟 + 益. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 缢

IDS Structure⿰纟益
缢Full character
=
纟si1
left
益Yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 缢?

How to say to hang; to strangle in Chinese

“to hang; to strangle” in Chinese is缢yì

The character 缢 (yì) primarily means 'to hang' or 'to strangle,' often used in contexts related to hanging objects or as a metaphor for suffocation. It can also denote self-strangulation or suicide, bearing a serious and grim connotation. This word is less commonly used in everyday conversation and often appears in literature or discussions about death and violence.

When to use 缢

Learners often confuse 缢 (yì) with similar-sounding characters that have less severe meanings. It is used primarily in literary or formal contexts, so it's important to avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include phrases relating to death or violence, which can be sensitive topics.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 缢 in casual contexts, mistakenly thinking it can be applied to lighter situations, such as joking about hanging clothes. Correct usage would strictly relate it to serious themes of hanging or strangle.

Write 缢

缢

Practice writing 缢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 缢

Words containing this character3
缢yìto hang縊
自缢to hang oneself自縊
缢死to hang oneself縊死
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 缢

What does 自缢 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 缢

No, 缢 is rarely used in casual conversations due to its serious connotation.

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