unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #9163, Very Hard
yí(yi2) T2
1exclamation of surprise
2expression of surprise
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March 24, 2026
咦yí(yi2)
The character 咦 (yí) is an exclamation used to express surprise or astonishment. It is often used in informal contexts, such as when someone notices something unexpected or unusual. Similar to 'oh?' or 'huh?' in English, it captures a moment of realization or curiosity.
Strokes9Radical口Frequency#9163DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise can be more subtle than in some Western contexts; 咦 reflects a more reserved way of acknowledging unexpected events without overt emotional displays.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person discovering something surprising, like finding a hidden treasure. They exclaim, 'Yí!' The character 咦 looks somewhat like a surprised face, with the '口' (mouth) component indicating speaking or exclaiming.
Meanings of 咦
yí(yi2)
1exclamation of surprise
2expression of surprise
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 咦
咦Simplified
9Strokes
口Radical
叹词tàncíinterjection (interj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 咦
Podcast: 咦
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AI Study Notes for 咦
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person discovering something surprising, like finding a hidden treasure. They exclaim, 'Yí!' The character 咦 looks somewhat like a surprised face, with the '口' (mouth) component indicating speaking or exclaiming.
Usage Notes
咦 is typically used in informal situations and can convey light surprise or curiosity. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal contexts, where a more serious expression would be appropriate. Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with the second tone (rising).
HSK Study Tips
While 咦 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can still be useful for understanding conversational Mandarin. At this level, students should focus on tone practice and recognizing informal expressions in dialogue.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise can be more subtle than in some Western contexts; 咦 reflects a more reserved way of acknowledging unexpected events without overt emotional displays.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 咦 with other exclamations like 哦 (ó) or 啊 (ā), which have different nuances. For example, saying '哦' when surprised is incorrect as it implies acknowledgment rather than surprise.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咦
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Grammar Patterns of 咦
咦 functions as an interjection — a standalone exclamation. It typically opens the sentence (啊！哎呀！) and is set off by a pause or comma. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
“ 嘿, 老伙计, 你还得干活呀, ____? ”
" Hello, old chap, you got to work, hey? "
Example Sentences for 咦 (1)
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1
“ 嘿, 老伙计, 你还得干活呀, 咦? ”
“ “, hēi , lǎo, huǒ jì , nǐ huán dé, gān?”
" Hello, old chap, you got to work, hey? "
Cultural Notes for 咦
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise can be more subtle than in some Western contexts; 咦 reflects a more reserved way of acknowledging unexpected events without overt emotional displays.
Word Family of 咦
Words Containing This Character1
咦yíexpression of surprise
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 咦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咦
Use 咦 when you encounter something surprising or unexpected, often in casual conversations.
No, 咦 is primarily used in spoken language and informal writing.
No, 咦 specifically expresses surprise, not disappointment.
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