Meanings of 昵
By ear
Play it, then pick what 昵 means.
About 昵
Podcast: 昵
Podcast: 昵
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 昵
亲 (qīn) - use 昵 (nì) when emphasizing a more intimate or affectionate closeness, while 亲 (qīn) can indicate general affection or kinship.
This character is typically used in informal contexts, so it may not be appropriate for formal writing. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '逆' (nì), which means 'to go against.' Pay attention to the tone to avoid miscommunication.
Although 昵 is not included in the HSK lists, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to relationships and emotions. Focus on understanding its use in context to build your conversational skills around intimacy and closeness.
Learners often confuse 昵 with the character 暱 (nì), leading to incorrect usage in contexts about intimacy. Ensure you use 昵 when referring to closeness and not 暱, which has a different nuance.
Pronunciation of 昵
Drill the tone of 昵 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 昵 to You
Let me explain 昵 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 昵 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 昵?
Learning Lab
Knowing 昵 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 昵
Phonosemantic compound. 日 represents the meaning and 尼 represents the sound. Simplified form of 暱.
sun
Origin
昵 = 日 + 尼. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 昵
Parts
Which of these is part of 昵?
How to say close, intimate; to approach in Chinese
“close, intimate; to approach” in Chinese is昵
The character 昵 (nì) means 'close' or 'intimate' and is often used to describe relationships that are personal and affectionate. It conveys a sense of closeness, whether emotional or physical, and can also refer to approaching someone or something closely. This word is commonly used in contexts discussing friendships or familial bonds.
When to use 昵
This character is typically used in informal contexts, so it may not be appropriate for formal writing. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '逆' (nì), which means 'to go against.' Pay attention to the tone to avoid miscommunication.
昵 or something close to it
亲 (qīn) - use 昵 (nì) when emphasizing a more intimate or affectionate closeness, while 亲 (qīn) can indicate general affection or kinship.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 昵 with the character 暱 (nì), leading to incorrect usage in contexts about intimacy. Ensure you use 昵 when referring to closeness and not 暱, which has a different nuance.
Write 昵
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 昵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 昵
昵 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
亲____关系会给予孩子内心一种安全感。
Loving relationships will give a child an inner sense of security.
Example Sentences for 昵 (5)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 昵?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Word Family of 昵
Words with 昵
What does 亲昵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 昵
You could say '我们之间的关系非常昵' (Our relationship is very close).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 昵?
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.