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议 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
议yìto comment onHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #16349, Hard
议yìto discussHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #16349, Hard
议yìto suggestHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #16349, Hard
议yìto consult, to talk over; to criticize, to discussHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 讠, rank #16349, Hard
yì(yi4) T4
  1. 1to comment on
  2. 2to discuss
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
议(議)yì(yi4)

The character 议 (yì) means 'to discuss' or 'to comment on'. It is commonly used in contexts where opinions or suggestions are exchanged, such as in meetings or debates. The nuance of this term often implies a formal or serious conversation, rather than casual discussion.

Strokes5Radical讠Frequency#16349DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions often take place in formal settings, such as during a banquet or official meeting, reflecting the importance of consensus and collective decision-making. The term 议 is frequently used in political contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a group of scholars sitting around a table, each with a scroll in hand, discussing important matters. The character 议 resembles a person (the top part) standing on a table (the bottom part), representing the act of discussing serious topics.

Meanings of 议

yì(yi4)
1to comment on
2to discuss
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 议

议Simplified
議Traditional
5Strokes
讠Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#16349Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 议

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Podcast: 议

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 议

Quick Contrast

讨论 (tǎolùn) vs 议 (yì): 讨论 emphasizes a more informal and open exchange of ideas, while 议 implies a more formal or serious discussion.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a group of scholars sitting around a table, each with a scroll in hand, discussing important matters. The character 议 resembles a person (the top part) standing on a table (the bottom part), representing the act of discussing serious topics.

Usage Notes

When using 议, it's essential to remember that it often implies a degree of formality, so it should be avoided in very casual settings. Common phrases include 议论 (yìlùn, to comment) and 议题 (yìtí, discussion topic). Ensure the tone is appropriate, as using it too casually might sound disrespectful.

HSK Study Tips

Although 议 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects well with other vocabulary related to discussion and opinion-sharing. Focus on collocations like 讨论 (tǎolùn, to discuss) and 意见 (yìjiàn, opinion) to deepen understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions often take place in formal settings, such as during a banquet or official meeting, reflecting the importance of consensus and collective decision-making. The term 议 is frequently used in political contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 议 with 说 (shuō, to speak), assuming they can interchange them in all contexts. For example, saying '我想议这个问题' (I want to speak on this issue) is incorrect; it should be '我想讨论这个问题' (I want to discuss this issue).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 议

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Etymology of 议

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 議. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 義 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)讠
+
Phonetic (sound)义
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 议?

Decomposition of 议

IDS Structure⿰讠义
议Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
义Yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 议?

Write 议

议

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 议

议 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Related grammar lessons6
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这是我议的事情。

Zhè shì wǒ yì de shìqíng.

This is the matter I commented on.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

会____本来在星期一举行，但是现在改时间了。

The meeting was originally on Monday, but the time has been changed.

Common Confusions with 议

议vs意
yì

Similar pronunciation and often confused in context.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to comment on"?

or

Usage Notes for 议

Misuse of 议 in casual conversationCommon Error

Students sometimes use 议 in informal contexts where 说 (to say) or 谈 (to talk) would be more appropriate.

1

我们可以谈谈这个问题吗？

Can we talk about this issue?

Example Sentences for 议 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我觉得签这个协议真傻。

wǒ jué dé qiān zhè gè xié yì zhēn shǎ。

I feel such a mug for signing the agreement.
2
我之前建议成人服用的剂量可以降到1/2或者1/4。

wǒ zhī qián jiàn yì chéng rén fú yòng de jì liáng kě yǐ jiàng dào1/2 1/2 huò1/4。

The doses I suggested for adults could be halved or quartered.
3
你也应该让本地议员了解你的观点。

nǐ yě yīng gāi ràng běn dì yì yuán le jiě nǐ de guān diǎn。

You should also make your views known to your local MP.
4
“也许你可以查一下书？”莫伊拉建议道。

“ “ yě xǔ nǐ kě yǐ chá yī xià？” shū ？” mò yī lā jiàn。

"Perhaps you could check the book?" Moira said helpfully.
5
我建议我们给你配备一间办公套房。

wǒ jiàn yì wǒ mén gěi nǐ pèi bèi yī jiān bàn gōng tào fáng。

I suggest we fit you up with an office suite.
6
本次初步会议的目标是澄清这些问题。

běn cì chū bù huì yì de mù biāo shì chéng qīng zhè xiē wèn tí。

The aim of this initial meeting is to clarify the issues.
7
然而，这种提议的根据当然并不仅仅是经济方面的。

rán ér， ， zhè zhǒng tí yì de gēn jù dāng rán bìng bù jǐn jǐn shì jīng jì fāng miàn。

However, the rationale for such in-itiatives is not, of course, solely economic.
8
这些建议是谈判的现实出发点。

zhè xiē jiàn yì shì tán pàn de xiàn shí chū fā diǎn。

These proposals represent a realistic starting point for negotiation.
9
爱沙尼亚议会已经通过了宣布共和国完全独立的决议。

ài shā ní yà yì huì yǐ jīng tōng guò le xuān bù gòng hé guó wán quán dú lì de jué yì。

The Estonian parliament has passed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent.
10
首相已听取了她议会助手的简要汇报。

shǒu xiāng yǐ tīng qǔ le tā yì huì zhù shǒu de jiǎn yào huì bào。

The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.

Cultural Notes for 议

💡Did you know?

The character 议 (yì) is often used in formal contexts, such as meetings or discussions in professional settings. In Chinese culture, discussing matters openly is valued as a way to reach consensus and improve decision-making.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions often take place in formal settings, such as during a banquet or official meeting, reflecting the importance of consensus and collective decision-making. The term 议 is frequently used in political contexts.

Word Family of 议

Words Containing This Character20
建议jiànyìto propose建議
会议huìyìmeeting會議
协议xiéyìpact協議
不可思议bùkěsīyìunfathomable不可思議
议员yìyuánrepresentative議員
提议tíyìproposal提議
参议员senator參議員
抗议kàngyìto protest抗議
议yìto discuss議
审议deliberation審議
议会yìhuìparliament議會
决议juéyìa resolution決議
争议zhēngyìcontroversy爭議
会议室meeting room會議室
异议yìyìobjection異議
议论yìlùnto comment議論
参议院senate參議院
议题yìtítopic議題
议案proposal議案
动议motion動議
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 建议 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 议

Common phrases that include 议 (yì) are '议论' (yìlùn), meaning 'to comment' or 'to discuss', and '议题' (yìtí), which means 'discussion topic'. These phrases are frequently used in formal and informal discussions.