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用意 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
用意yòngyìintentionHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #13498, Very Hard
用意yòngyìpurposeHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #13498, Very Hard
yòngyì(yong4yi4)yong yi T4
  1. 1intention
  2. 2purpose
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March 24, 2026

用意yòngyì(yong4yi4)

用意 (yòng yì) refers to the intention or purpose behind an action or statement. It is often used to discuss the motivations that drive decisions, whether in personal interactions or broader contexts such as literature and art.

Strokes18Frequency#13498DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, understanding someone's 用意 is crucial in communication, as indirectness and subtlety often play a significant role in interpersonal relationships. This concept emphasizes the importance of reading between the lines.

Memory tip

Think of 用 (yòng) as 'using' something, and 意 (yì) as 'meaning' or 'intention.' Imagine someone using a tool with a specific purpose in mind; this vivid imagery can help you remember the connection between the characters and their meaning.

Meanings of 用意

yòngyì(yong4yi4)
1intention
2purpose
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 用意

用意Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 用意

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AI study notes for 用意

Quick Contrast

意图 (yìtú) — use 用意 when emphasizing the underlying intention or purpose, while 意图 focuses more on the planned intention behind an action.

Usage Notes

When using 用意, be mindful of the context; it is often used in both formal and informal discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 意图 (yìtú), which refers more to the intention itself rather than the purpose behind it. Remember to use the correct tone: 用意 is pronounced with the fourth tone for both characters.

HSK Study Tips

Although 用意 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with words related to intention and action, such as 意思 (yìsi) and 目的 (mùdì). Students should focus on recognizing how 用意 can be used in various contexts to express underlying motivations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 用意 with 意图 (yìtú), thinking they are interchangeable. A wrong example would be saying '他的意图是让我们更好地合作' when it should be '他的用意是让我们更好地合作' to emphasize the intention behind the action.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 用意

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Component characters

用yòngto use
HSK 35 strokes用
View full entry
意yìItaly
HSK 313 strokes心
View full entry

How to say intention in Chinese

“intention” in Chinese is用意yòngyì

用意 (yòng yì) refers to the intention or purpose behind an action or statement. It is often used to discuss the motivations that drive decisions, whether in personal interactions or broader contexts such as literature and art.

When to use 用意

When using 用意, be mindful of the context; it is often used in both formal and informal discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 意图 (yìtú), which refers more to the intention itself rather than the purpose behind it. Remember to use the correct tone: 用意 is pronounced with the fourth tone for both characters.

用意 or something close to it

意图 (yìtú) — use 用意 when emphasizing the underlying intention or purpose, while 意图 focuses more on the planned intention behind an action.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 用意 with 意图 (yìtú), thinking they are interchangeable. A wrong example would be saying '他的意图是让我们更好地合作' when it should be '他的用意是让我们更好地合作' to emphasize the intention behind the action.

Write 用意

用
意

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

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Cultural Notes for 用意

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, intentions are often stated more explicitly, while in Chinese culture, understanding the implied 用意 can be more valued.

Frequently asked questions about 用意

You can say '他的用意是让我们更好地合作' (His intention is to help us collaborate better).

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