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March 24, 2026
椅子yǐzi(yi3zi5)
The word 椅子 (yǐzi) means 'chair' in Mandarin. It refers to a piece of furniture designed for sitting, typically featuring a back and four legs. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts when discussing furniture or seating arrangements.
Strokes15Frequency#2115DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of seating can reflect social hierarchy and respect; for example, the seating arrangement at a formal dinner often indicates status. The word 椅子 is used in contexts involving hospitality and guest treatment.
Memory Tip
Think of 椅子 (yǐzi) as a 'Y' shaped chair. The radical 木 (mù) means 'wood', indicating that chairs are often made of wood. The 'i' in 'yi' sounds like 'ee', reminding you of a person sitting comfortably in a chair, while 'zi' can be imagined as 'sitting' in this chair.
Meanings of 椅子
yǐzi(yi3zi5)
1chair
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About 椅子
椅子Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2115Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 椅子
Podcast: 椅子
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AI Study Notes for 椅子
Quick Contrast
凳子 (dèngzi) vs 椅子 (yǐzi): use 椅子 when emphasizing a chair with a back; use 凳子 for a backless stool.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 椅子 (yǐzi), as the third tone can easily be mispronounced. It's often used with classifiers such as 把 (bǎ) when counting chairs, e.g., 一把椅子 (yī bǎ yǐzi) for 'one chair'. In informal settings, it can simply be used to refer to any chair without additional context.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 椅子 (yǐzi) connects to other basic nouns related to home and furniture, such as 桌子 (zhuōzi, table) and 床 (chuáng, bed). Focus on the pronunciation and practice using it in simple sentences to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 椅子 (yǐzi) with 凳子 (dèngzi), mistakenly using one for the other. For example, saying '我想坐在凳子' (wǒ xiǎng zuò zài dèngzi) when they mean 'I want to sit on a chair' is incorrect if they are referring to a chair specifically.
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Pronunciation of 椅子
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The word 椅子 (yǐzi) means 'chair' in Mandarin. It refers to a piece of furniture designed for sitting, typically featuring a back and four legs. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts when discussing furniture or seating arrangements.
When to use 椅子
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 椅子 (yǐzi), as the third tone can easily be mispronounced. It's often used with classifiers such as 把 (bǎ) when counting chairs, e.g., 一把椅子 (yī bǎ yǐzi) for 'one chair'. In informal settings, it can simply be used to refer to any chair without additional context.
椅子 or something close to it
凳子 (dèngzi) vs 椅子 (yǐzi): use 椅子 when emphasizing a chair with a back; use 凳子 for a backless stool.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 椅子 (yǐzi) with 凳子 (dèngzi), mistakenly using one for the other. For example, saying '我想坐在凳子' (wǒ xiǎng zuò zài dèngzi) when they mean 'I want to sit on a chair' is incorrect if they are referring to a chair specifically.
Write 椅子
椅
子
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Grammar Patterns of 椅子
椅子 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
