HSK 6, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 卩, rank #1919, Hard
yìn(yin4) T4
1to print
2abbr. for 印度[Yìn dù]
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March 24, 2026
印yìn(yin4)
The character 印 (yìn) encompasses meanings related to printing, marking, and sealing. It is commonly used in contexts like printing documents, creating seals for official purposes, or making impressions. The character also serves as an abbreviation for India (印度).
Strokes5Radical卩Frequency#1919DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, seals (印章) hold significant importance for authentication and identity, often used by officials and artists to validate their work. These seals reflect the historical value placed on personal marks and signatures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large stamp being pressed down onto paper, creating a visible mark. The character 印 looks like a stamp or seal, with the top part resembling the handle and the bottom representing the surface that leaves a print. This visual helps connect its pronunciation 'yìn' with the action of marking.
Meanings of 印
yìn(yin4)
1to print
2abbr. for 印度[Yìn dù]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 印
印Simplified
5Strokes
卩Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1919Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 印
Podcast: 印
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AI Study Notes for 印
Quick Contrast
印 (yìn) vs 标 (biāo) — use 印 when referring specifically to printing or sealing, while 标 relates to marking or labeling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large stamp being pressed down onto paper, creating a visible mark. The character 印 looks like a stamp or seal, with the top part resembling the handle and the bottom representing the surface that leaves a print. This visual helps connect its pronunciation 'yìn' with the action of marking.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tones when pronouncing 印 as it can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in legal or official documentation. Common collocations include 印刷 (yìn shuā, to print) and 印章 (yìn zhāng, seal or stamp).
HSK Study Tips
Though not strictly categorized under an HSK level, it shares roots with related words like 打印 (dǎ yìn, to print) and 影印 (yǐng yìn, to photocopy). Focus on recognizing its usage in phrases and its application in practical scenarios like printing and sealing.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, seals (印章) hold significant importance for authentication and identity, often used by officials and artists to validate their work. These seals reflect the historical value placed on personal marks and signatures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 印 with the similar-sounding characters, leading to mix-ups in meaning. For example, using 印 (yìn) instead of 影 (yǐng) could incorrectly suggest printing instead of an image or shadow. Always double-check the context to ensure accuracy.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 印
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Pictograph of a kneeling person (卩) being held down by a hand (爪). Based on the original meaning "restrain", now written as 抑. The meaning later shifted to "push down", "stamp", and "print".
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Practice writing 印 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 印
印 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 13 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.
tā mén huán liú xià le yī zhāng míng piàn， ， shàng miàn yìn zháo xiāo· ēn · lín qí de。
They also left a card, imprinted with the name Sean Lynch.
8
娜奥米在失误面前表现得处乱不惊，给贝丝留下了深刻印象。
nà ào mǐ zài shī wù miàn qián biǎo xiàn dé chǔ luàn bù jīng， ， gěi bèi sī liú xià le shēn kè yìn。
Beth was struck by how Naomi took the mistake in her stride.
9
在这间客厅，我们粘贴了各种美丽的印花纸。
zài zhè jiān kè tīng， ， wǒ mén nián tiē le gè zhǒng měi lì de yìn huā。
In this living room we've mixed glorious floral prints.
10
在他们最近引进的东西里面有两样给我留下了非常深刻的印象。
zài tā mén zuì jìn yǐn jìn de dōng xī lǐ miàn yǒu liǎng yàng gěi wǒ liú xià le fēi cháng shēn kè de yìn xiàng。
There are two among their recent introductions that have greatly impressed me.
Cultural Notes for 印
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese culture, seals (印) are used not only for signatures but also as symbols of authority and authenticity. Every official would have a personal seal to validate documents.
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, seals (印章) hold significant importance for authentication and identity, often used by officials and artists to validate their work. These seals reflect the historical value placed on personal marks and signatures.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, a stamp may simply denote postal services, while in China, a seal often represents authority and is crucial for legal documents.
Word Family of 印
Compounds2
茚yin4indene
鮣
Words Containing This Character20
印象yìnxiàngimpression
印yìnto print
印度India
印第安(American) Indian
印尼Indonesia (abbr. for 印度尼西亞|印度尼西亚)
打印dǎyìnto print
印刷yìnshuāto print
脚印jiǎoyìnfootprint腳印
印记imprint印記
复印件photocopy複印件
印度尼西亚Indonesia印度尼西亞
复印fùyìnto photocopy複印
打印机dǎyìnjīprinter打印機
印章yìnzhāngseal
印花tax stamp
印证yìnzhèngto seal印證
印制to print印製
烙印brand
印发to publish印發
印第安纳Indiana, US state印第安納
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 茚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 印
Yes, 印 (Yìn) is a recognized surname in China, though it is not among the most common. Surnames in Chinese culture can carry historical significance, and 印 is one of the many surnames that exist within the population.
印 (yìn) can be used in various contexts, such as for making prints or seals, and it also serves as an abbreviation for India. Additionally, the character can convey actions like engraving or stamping, which are essential in both traditional and modern Chinese practices.
印 (yìn) has several meanings in Chinese. It can refer to a seal or stamp, often used for official documents. Additionally, it can mean to engrave or to print something, as well as being an abbreviation for India (印度).
You can use 印 (yìn) in sentences like '我需要一个印' (wǒ xūyào yīgè yìn), which means 'I need a stamp.' It can also be used in contexts related to printing or engraving, such as '他正在印书' (tā zhèngzài yìn shū), meaning 'He is printing a book.'
You can say, '我需要印这份文件' (Wǒ xūyào yìn zhè fèn wénjiàn), meaning 'I need to print this document.'
No, 印 also refers to seals and marks, so it has broader applications beyond just printing.
印 is more focused on printing and sealing, while 刻 (kè) relates more to engraving or carving.
