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March 24, 2026
宜yí(Yi2)
The character 宜 (yí) means suitable, appropriate, or fitting. It is often used to describe something that is deemed proper in a particular context or situation, such as in advice or recommendations. It can also function as a verb meaning 'should,' indicating a suggestion or expectation of what is correct or required.
Strokes8Radical宀Frequency#13617DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The character 宜 is often used in the context of traditional Chinese philosophy, where suitability and appropriateness are important in moral and social behavior, reflecting values of harmony and balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing in front of a mirror, adjusting their outfit to ensure it looks just right. The shape of the character 宜 resembles a person (亻) deciding what is suitable (宜) to wear, reminding you that 'yí' sounds like 'yee,' as in 'yee, that looks fitting!'
Meanings of 宜
yí(Yi2)
1proper
2should
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 宜
宜Simplified
8Strokes
宀Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#13617Frequency Rank
Podcast: 宜
Podcast: 宜
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AI Study Notes for 宜
Quick Contrast
合适 (héshì) - use 宜 (yí) when implying a suggestion or expectation, while 合适 (héshì) focuses more on suitability without the connotation of obligation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing in front of a mirror, adjusting their outfit to ensure it looks just right. The shape of the character 宜 resembles a person (亻) deciding what is suitable (宜) to wear, reminding you that 'yí' sounds like 'yee,' as in 'yee, that looks fitting!'
Usage Notes
宜 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in written language, such as in guidelines or rules. Common collocations include 宜人 (yírén, pleasant) and 宜居 (yíjū, suitable for living). Watch out for tone mistakes; it is pronounced with a rising tone (yí).
HSK Study Tips
While 宜 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it is relevant for HSK 5 and 6 as it appears in more advanced texts and discussions. Students should focus on its use in phrases and idiomatic expressions to understand its contextual applications.
Cultural Note
The character 宜 is often used in the context of traditional Chinese philosophy, where suitability and appropriateness are important in moral and social behavior, reflecting values of harmony and balance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宜 with similar-sounding words like 易 (yì, easy) and mistakenly use it in contexts where it doesn't fit. For example, saying '这件事很宜' (This matter is very suitable) is incorrect; it should be '这件事很合适' (This matter is very suitable).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宜
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Originally a pictograph of two pieces of meat (肉) on a table. Based on the original meaning "delicacy" or "fine food". The meaning later shifted to "proper".
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Grammar Patterns of 宜
宜 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 6 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.
More people would be attracted to cycling if conditions were right.
9
今年的便宜货明年会更便宜。
jīn nián de biàn yí huò míng nián huì gēng biàn yí。
Anything that's cheap this year will be even cheaper next year.
10
埃布尔先生的医生说他不宜出行。
āi bù ěr xiān shēng de yī shēng shuō tā bù yí chū háng。
Mr Abel's doctor has said he is unfit to travel.
Cultural Notes for 宜
🏮Cultural insight
The character 宜 is often used in the context of traditional Chinese philosophy, where suitability and appropriateness are important in moral and social behavior, reflecting values of harmony and balance.
Word Family of 宜
Compounds5
谊yi4friendship
椬
竩
萓
誼yi4friendship; appropriate, suitable
Words Containing This Character20
便宜biànyícheap
宜yíproper
事宜shìyímatters
不宜bùyínot suitable
适宜shìyísuitable適宜
不合时宜untimely不合時宜
便宜货a bargain便宜貨
布宜诺斯艾利斯Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina布宜諾斯艾利斯
占便宜advantageous佔便宜
因地制宜(idiom) to use methods in line with local circumstances
宜人nice
权宜之计makeshift stratagem權宜之計
宜昌Yichang prefecture level city in Hubei
时宜timely時宜
宜宾Yibin prefecture level city in Sichuan宜賓
事不宜迟there's no time to lose事不宜遲
宜兴Yixing county level city in Wuxi 無錫|无锡[Wúxī], Jiangsu宜興
相宜to be suitable or appropriate
合宜appropriate
宜春Yichun prefecture level city in Jiangxi
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 谊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 宜
You can use 宜 to suggest something that is appropriate, like '这件衣服很宜人' (This outfit is very suitable).
Yes, 宜 can be used in spoken Chinese, but it is more frequently seen in written form.
Some synonyms include 合适 (héshì, suitable) and 适当 (shìdàng, appropriate).
