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March 24, 2026
衣服yīfu(yi1fu5)
衣服 (yī fú) refers to clothing or garments that people wear. It encompasses all types of attire, from casual wear to formal outfits. In everyday conversation, it is commonly used when discussing what to wear or shopping for clothes.
Frequency#420DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and occasions, with traditional garments like the qipao or hanfu still holding significant cultural value. The choice of clothing can also indicate respect for different cultural events.
Memory Tip
Think of 衣 (yī) as a person wearing a shirt, with the top part resembling a shirt silhouette. The character 服 (fú) looks like a person dressed in a coat. Imagine 'Yee' (for 'yi') saying 'I need a 'Fu' (for 'fu') to keep warm!' This vivid image ties the sound to the meaning.
Meanings of 衣服
yīfu(yi1fu5)
1clothes
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About 衣服
衣服Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#420Frequency Rank
件Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 衣服
Podcast: 衣服
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AI Study Notes for 衣服
Quick Contrast
裙子 (qúnzi) refers specifically to a skirt, while 衣服 (yīfu) is a general term for clothing.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 衣 (yī) as a person wearing a shirt, with the top part resembling a shirt silhouette. The character 服 (fú) looks like a person dressed in a coat. Imagine 'Yee' (for 'yi') saying 'I need a 'Fu' (for 'fu') to keep warm!' This vivid image ties the sound to the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tones; '衣服' should be pronounced with a high tone for '衣' and a neutral tone for '服'. A common mistake is to confuse '衣服' with '衣' (clothes) alone, which can imply a specific type of clothing. The word is informal, but suitable in most contexts, including shopping and discussions about fashion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 衣服 is foundational for learners. It connects to other words about clothing and personal items, helping build vocabulary for daily life. Focus on using it in simple sentences, such as '我有很多衣服' (I have many clothes).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and occasions, with traditional garments like the qipao or hanfu still holding significant cultural value. The choice of clothing can also indicate respect for different cultural events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong measure word, saying '一衣服' instead of '一件衣服'. Remember to use 件 (jiàn) when counting individual pieces of clothing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 衣服
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Grammar Patterns of 衣服
衣服 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
wǒ jīn tiān shàng wǔ nǔ lì yùn wán le suǒ yǒu de yī fú。
I managed to get all the ironing done this morning.
2
你一直穿你的旧衣服，直到穿烂了为止吗？
nǐ yī zhí chuān nǐ de jiù yī fú， ， zhí dào chuān làn le wéi zhǐ？
Do you wear your old clothes until they fall to pieces?
3
他的衣服皱巴巴的，好像他是穿着衣服睡的。
tā de yī fú zhòu bā bā de， ， hǎo xiàng tā shì chuān zháo yī fú shuì。
His clothes were creased, as if he had slept in them.
4
她的床收拾得很整洁，衣服也收起来了。
tā de chuáng shōu shí dé hěn zhěng jié， ， yī fú yě shōu qǐ lái。
Her bed was crisply made, her clothes put away.
5
尤妮斯穿着浅绿色的衣服站在后面不起眼的地方。
yóu nī sī chuān zháo qiǎn lǜ sè de yī fú zhàn zài hòu miàn bù qǐ yǎn de dì fāng。
In the background, dressed in pale green, stood Eunice.
6
他们急于在下雨前把洗好的衣服收进屋子。
tā mén jí yú zài xià yǔ qián bǎ xǐ hǎo de yī fú shōu jìn wū zǐ。
They were anxious to bring the washing in before it rained.
7
我的几个儿子从不指望别人帮他们熨好衣服。
wǒ de jī gè ér zǐ cóng bù zhǐ wàng bié rén bāng tā mén yùn hǎo yī fú。
My sons would never dream of expecting their clothes to be ironed.
8
我担心自己没法把洗好的衣服晾出去。
wǒ dān xīn zì jǐ méi fǎ bǎ xǐ hǎo de yī fú liàng chū qù。
I was worried I wouldn't be able to hang my washing out.
9
他让萨拉等他穿好衣服。
tā ràng sà lā děng tā chuān hǎo yī fú。
He told Sarah to wait while he dressed.
10
围好围巾，扣好衣服。
wéi hǎo wéi jīn， ， kòu hǎo yī。
Keep your scarf on, do your coat up.
Cultural Notes for 衣服
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and occasions, with traditional garments like the qipao or hanfu still holding significant cultural value. The choice of clothing can also indicate respect for different cultural events.
Frequently Asked Questions about 衣服
You can say '我喜欢你的衣服' (Wǒ xǐhuān nǐ de yīfú).
The common measure words for clothes are 件 (jiàn) for individual pieces and 套 (tào) for sets.
Yes, 衣服 is a general term that can refer to any type of clothing.
