Meanings of 衣
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About 衣
Podcast: 衣
Podcast: 衣
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AI study notes for 衣
衣 (clothing) vs 裤 (pants) — choose 衣 when referring to general clothing, not specific types like 裤.
Watch out for the correct pronunciation; beginners may confuse it with similar-sounding words. 衣 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, so it’s versatile. Common collocations include phrases like 穿衣 (chuān yī - to wear clothes) and 衣服 (yīfú - clothes).
Although 衣 is not specifically assigned an HSK level, it connects with other basic vocabulary around daily life and clothing, such as 裤子 (kùzi - pants) and 上衣 (shàngyī - upper garment). Focus on practicing phrases that involve wearing or discussing clothing.
Learners often confuse 衣 with similar characters that denote other concepts, such as 衣 (yī - clothes) and 义 (yì - righteousness). An incorrect use might be saying '我穿衣鞋' (Wǒ chuān yīxié - I wear clothes shoes), where '衣鞋' should just be '鞋' (xié - shoes).
Pronunciation of 衣
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Jason Explains 衣 to you
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Learning Lab
Knowing 衣 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 衣
Pictograph of a coat.
A woman's dress
Origin
What kind of character is 衣?
Decomposition of 衣
Parts
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How to say clothes in Chinese
“clothes” in Chinese is衣
The character 衣 (yī) refers to clothing or garments. It is commonly used in contexts related to dressing, wearing clothes, or discussing apparel. This character can also denote fabric or material used for clothes, as well as the act of putting on clothing.
When to use 衣
Watch out for the correct pronunciation; beginners may confuse it with similar-sounding words. 衣 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, so it’s versatile. Common collocations include phrases like 穿衣 (chuān yī - to wear clothes) and 衣服 (yīfú - clothes).
衣 or something close to it
衣 (clothing) vs 裤 (pants) — choose 衣 when referring to general clothing, not specific types like 裤.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 衣 with similar characters that denote other concepts, such as 衣 (yī - clothes) and 义 (yì - righteousness). An incorrect use might be saying '我穿衣鞋' (Wǒ chuān yīxié - I wear clothes shoes), where '衣鞋' should just be '鞋' (xié - shoes).
Write 衣
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Practice writing 衣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 衣
衣 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 5 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
你的____服很好看。
Your clothes look great.
Example sentences for 衣 (14)
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Word Family of 衣
Characters with 衣
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Frequently asked questions about 衣
衣 (yī) specifically refers to clothing or garments in a general sense, while 衣服 (yīfú) is more commonly used and refers to clothes in a broader context, often encompassing various types of apparel.
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