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March 24, 2026
译(譯)yì(yi4)
The character 译 (yì) means 'to translate' or 'to interpret,' referring to the process of converting text or speech from one language to another. It is commonly used in contexts involving language translation, such as translating books, documents, or conversations, and can also imply encoding or decoding information.
Strokes7Radical讠Frequency#17332DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Translation plays a significant role in Chinese culture, especially in literature and diplomacy, as it helps bridge cultural gaps. The importance of accurate translation is highlighted during international events and discussions, where misunderstandings can lead to significant consequences.
Memory Tip
Imagine a translator with a giant book (the character 译) in their hands, where the left side resembles the 'speech bubble' of conversation, and the right side symbolizes a 'code' being cracked. This visual connects the character's meaning to its pronunciation, 'yì', reminding you that they are bridging languages.
Meanings of 译
yì(yi4)
1to translate
2to interpret
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 译
译Simplified
譯Traditional
7Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#17332Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 译
Podcast: 译
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AI Study Notes for 译
Quick Contrast
翻 (fān) — use 译 (yì) for formal or literary translations, while 翻 (fān) is often used for more casual or everyday translations.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a translator with a giant book (the character 译) in their hands, where the left side resembles the 'speech bubble' of conversation, and the right side symbolizes a 'code' being cracked. This visual connects the character's meaning to its pronunciation, 'yì', reminding you that they are bridging languages.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 译 with similar characters like 议 (yì), which means 'to discuss.' It is generally used in both formal and informal settings, but in professional contexts, you might encounter collocations like 译员 (yìyuán, translator) or 翻译 (fānyì, to translate). Paying attention to tones is crucial, as 'yì' has a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 译 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is still relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially those interested in translation or language studies. Focus on its usage in sentences and practice with related vocabulary like 翻 (fān, to turn over) and 译员 (yìyuán, translator).
Cultural Note
Translation plays a significant role in Chinese culture, especially in literature and diplomacy, as it helps bridge cultural gaps. The importance of accurate translation is highlighted during international events and discussions, where misunderstandings can lead to significant consequences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 译 when they mean to say 'discuss' or 'talk,' confusing it with 议 (yì). For example, saying '我想译这个问题' (Wǒ xiǎng yì zhège wèntí) is incorrect; the correct term would be '我想讨论这个问题' (Wǒ xiǎng tǎolùn zhège wèntí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 译
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Grammar Patterns of 译
译 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I read the book in translation, not in the original Norwegian.
Cultural Notes for 译
🏮Cultural insight
Translation plays a significant role in Chinese culture, especially in literature and diplomacy, as it helps bridge cultural gaps. The importance of accurate translation is highlighted during international events and discussions, where misunderstandings can lead to significant consequences.
Word Family of 译
Words Containing This Character20
翻译fānyìto translate翻譯
破译to break a code破譯
译yìto translate譯
编译to translate and edit編譯
直译literal translation直譯
译文translated text譯文
音译transcription (linguistics)音譯
译员interpreter譯員
译名translated names譯名
译本translation (translated version of a text)譯本
口译interpreting口譯
意译paraphrase意譯
译者translator (of writing)譯者
译成to translate into (Chinese, English etc)譯成
传译to translate傳譯
译音transliteration譯音
摘译quoted (from)摘譯
机器翻译machine translation機器翻譯
笔译written translation筆譯
编译器compiler編譯器
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 翻译 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 译
Yes, 译 is used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is a common term in language-related contexts and can be found in textbooks, conversations, and professional settings. Understanding its usage helps in grasping translation concepts more effectively.
While both 译 (yì) and 翻译 (fānyì) refer to translation, 译 is a more general term that can mean to encode or decode, whereas 翻译 specifically emphasizes the act of translating spoken or written content. Understanding this distinction can enhance your vocabulary in translation discussions.
译 (yì) means 'to translate' or 'to interpret' in Chinese. It is commonly used in contexts involving language translation and communication. Additionally, it can also refer to encoding and decoding information.
To use 译 in a sentence, you can say '我会翻译这篇文章' (Wǒ huì fānyì zhè piān wénzhāng), which means 'I will translate this article.' It is often used when discussing language skills or translation tasks.
You can use 译 in a sentence like '我需要翻译这本书' (Wǒ xūyào fānyì zhè běn shū), meaning 'I need to translate this book.'
Yes, 译 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but tends to appear more frequently in professional settings related to translation.
翻译 (fānyì) is a more general term meaning 'to translate,' while 译 (yì) can specifically refer to the act of translation or interpretation.
