Meanings of 內
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 內
Podcast: 內
Podcast: 內
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 內
内 (nèi) vs 里 (lǐ) — use 内 for more formal or abstract contexts, while 里 is often used in everyday speech to refer to physical locations.
Be careful not to confuse 內 (nèi) with 里 (lǐ), which also means 'inside' but can have different usage contexts. 內 is more formal and often appears in written language, while 里 is more commonly used in daily conversation. Also, note that 內 is often used in phrases like 內部 (nèi bù, 'internal') or 內心 (nèi xīn, 'inner heart').
Although 內 is not currently part of the official HSK vocabulary, it's useful for building your understanding of spatial relationships in Mandarin. Focus on how it pairs with other words to convey meaning, particularly in contexts related to places and emotions.
Learners often confuse 內 (nèi) with 外 (wài) and mistakenly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我在外' (Wǒ zài wài, 'I am inside') is incorrect; it should be '我在內' (Wǒ zài nèi).
Pronunciation of 內
Drill the tone of 內 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 內
Simplified form of 內. Depicts an entrance (入) to a hall (冂).
A man 入 entering a door 冂
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 內
Simplified form of 內. Depicts an entrance (入) to a hall (冂).
- 1The giveawayA man 入 entering a door 冂
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 內? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 內?
Decomposition of 內
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 內?
How to say inside in Chinese
“inside” in Chinese is內
The character 內 (nèi) means 'inside' and is commonly used to describe something that is within a boundary or enclosure. It can refer to physical space, such as the inside of a room, or abstract concepts, like internal thoughts or feelings. This character is often contrasted with its antonym 外 (wài), which means 'outside'.
When to use 內
Be careful not to confuse 內 (nèi) with 里 (lǐ), which also means 'inside' but can have different usage contexts. 內 is more formal and often appears in written language, while 里 is more commonly used in daily conversation. Also, note that 內 is often used in phrases like 內部 (nèi bù, 'internal') or 內心 (nèi xīn, 'inner heart').
內 or something close to it
内 (nèi) vs 里 (lǐ) — use 内 for more formal or abstract contexts, while 里 is often used in everyday speech to refer to physical locations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 內 (nèi) with 外 (wài) and mistakenly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我在外' (Wǒ zài wài, 'I am inside') is incorrect; it should be '我在內' (Wǒ zài nèi).
Write 內
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 內 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 內
內 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
他们走近那幢建筑时,____心充满了恐惧.
They were filled with apprehension as they approached the building.
Example Sentences for 內 (1)
Word Family of 內
Compound Meaning
What does 内 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 內
You can say '我在內部工作' (Wǒ zài nèi bù gōngzuò), meaning 'I work inside the organization'.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 內?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.