Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
頤yí(yi2)
The character 頤 (yí) primarily refers to the cheeks or jaw, often associated with the lower part of the face. It can also imply the act of nourishing or taking care of something, often used in contexts related to health or sustenance.
Strokes16Radical頁Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, facial features like the cheeks are believed to reflect one's health and vitality, linking the character 頤 to concepts of nourishment and well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a face with prominent cheeks (the meaning of 頤) that is being nourished. The top radical 頁 (yè) looks like a head, while the bottom part resembles a nurturing hand cradling the face, reminding you of the sound 'yí'.
Meanings of 頤
yí(yi2)
1cheeks, jaw; chin; rear; to nourish
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 頤
頤Simplified
16Strokes
頁Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 頤
Podcast: 頤
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 頤
Quick Contrast
颊 (jiá) refers specifically to the cheeks, whereas 頤 (yí) encompasses a broader sense including the jaw and the idea of nourishment.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a face with prominent cheeks (the meaning of 頤) that is being nourished. The top radical 頁 (yè) looks like a head, while the bottom part resembles a nurturing hand cradling the face, reminding you of the sound 'yí'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 頤 with similar-sounding words that refer to other parts of the body. This character is more formal and may not be used in casual conversation. Common collocations include 頤養 (to nourish) and 頤面 (jawline).
HSK Study Tips
Though 頤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words like 養 (yǎng, to raise or nourish) and 面 (miàn, face). Students should focus on the character's components and their meanings to better understand its usage.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, facial features like the cheeks are believed to reflect one's health and vitality, linking the character 頤 to concepts of nourishment and well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 頤 with 齒 (chǐ, teeth) due to similar themes of the face. Remember, 頤 specifically refers to the cheeks or jaw, while 齒 refers to the teeth.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 頤
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 頤 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 頤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 頤
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, facial features like the cheeks are believed to reflect one's health and vitality, linking the character 頤 to concepts of nourishment and well-being.
Word Family of 頤
Words Containing This Character11
颐yícheek頤
颐指气使arrogant and bossy頤指氣使
颐和园Summer Palace in Beijing頤和園
颐养to nourish頤養
大快朵颐to gorge oneself大快朵頤
颐养天年lit. to nurture one's years (idiom)頤養天年
程颐Cheng Yi (1033-1107), Song neo-Confucian scholar程頤
周敦颐Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073), Song dynasty neo-Confucian scholar周敦頤
朵颐to munch朵頤
解颐to smile解頤
颐指to order with the chin頤指
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 颐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 頤
Common phrases include 頤養 (to nourish) and 頤面 (jawline), which relate directly to facial features and health.
It's more formal and may appear in literary or medical contexts rather than casual conversation.
The pronunciation is 'yí', with a rising tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the 'i' sound.
