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March 24, 2026
衣服yīfu(yi1fu5)
衣服 (yī fú) refers to clothing or garments that people wear. It encompasses all types of attire, from casual wear to formal outfits. In everyday conversation, it is commonly used when discussing what to wear or shopping for clothes.
Strokes14Frequency#420DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and occasions, with traditional garments like the qipao or hanfu still holding significant cultural value. The choice of clothing can also indicate respect for different cultural events.
Memory Tip
Think of 衣 (yī) as a person wearing a shirt, with the top part resembling a shirt silhouette. The character 服 (fú) looks like a person dressed in a coat. Imagine 'Yee' (for 'yi') saying 'I need a 'Fu' (for 'fu') to keep warm!' This vivid image ties the sound to the meaning.
Meanings of 衣服
yīfu(yi1fu5)
1clothes
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About 衣服
衣服Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#420Frequency Rank
件Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 衣服
Podcast: 衣服
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AI Study Notes for 衣服
Quick Contrast
裙子 (qúnzi) refers specifically to a skirt, while 衣服 (yīfu) is a general term for clothing.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tones; '衣服' should be pronounced with a high tone for '衣' and a neutral tone for '服'. A common mistake is to confuse '衣服' with '衣' (clothes) alone, which can imply a specific type of clothing. The word is informal, but suitable in most contexts, including shopping and discussions about fashion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 衣服 is foundational for learners. It connects to other words about clothing and personal items, helping build vocabulary for daily life. Focus on using it in simple sentences, such as '我有很多衣服' (I have many clothes).
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong measure word, saying '一衣服' instead of '一件衣服'. Remember to use 件 (jiàn) when counting individual pieces of clothing.
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Pronunciation of 衣服
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衣服 (yī fú) refers to clothing or garments that people wear. It encompasses all types of attire, from casual wear to formal outfits. In everyday conversation, it is commonly used when discussing what to wear or shopping for clothes.
When to use 衣服
Be careful with the tones; '衣服' should be pronounced with a high tone for '衣' and a neutral tone for '服'. A common mistake is to confuse '衣服' with '衣' (clothes) alone, which can imply a specific type of clothing. The word is informal, but suitable in most contexts, including shopping and discussions about fashion.
衣服 or something close to it
裙子 (qúnzi) refers specifically to a skirt, while 衣服 (yīfu) is a general term for clothing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong measure word, saying '一衣服' instead of '一件衣服'. Remember to use 件 (jiàn) when counting individual pieces of clothing.
Write 衣服
衣
服
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Grammar Patterns of 衣服
衣服 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.
