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March 24, 2026
内(內)nèi(nei4)
The character 内 (nèi) means 'inside' or 'inner.' It is commonly used to describe something that is within a space, organization, or concept, such as '内心' (nèi xīn) meaning 'inner heart' or '内衣' (nèi yī) meaning 'underwear.' This word conveys a sense of internality and is often contrasted with its opposite, 外 (wài), meaning 'outside.'
Strokes4Radical入Frequency#520DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'inner' often relates to personal feelings and introspection, which are valued in traditional philosophies like Confucianism and Daoism. The idea of having an 'inner self' is significant in discussions of character and morality.
Memory Tip
Imagine a house with a big 'N' shape inside it to remember '内' (nèi) means 'inside.' Picture someone saying 'I’m in here!' while pointing to that 'N' shape, emphasizing the concept of being within a space.
Meanings of 内
nèi(nei4)
1inside
2inner
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 内
内Simplified
內Traditional
4Strokes
入Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#520Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 内
Podcast: 内
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AI Study Notes for 内
Quick Contrast
内 (nèi) vs 里 (lǐ) — use 内 for more abstract or conceptual 'inside,' while 里 typically refers to a physical or geographical 'inside.'
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a house with a big 'N' shape inside it to remember '内' (nèi) means 'inside.' Picture someone saying 'I’m in here!' while pointing to that 'N' shape, emphasizing the concept of being within a space.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 内 (nèi) with 外 (wài), which means 'outside.' Also, it’s often used in formal contexts, so ensure you're using it appropriately in discussions about internal matters or in writing. Common collocations include '内部' (nèi bù) meaning 'internal' and '内向' (nèi xiàng) meaning 'introverted.'
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 4, students should focus on using 内 in various contexts, such as describing feelings or situations. It connects with other words like 外 (wài) and 里 (lǐ), enhancing understanding of spatial and emotional descriptions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'inner' often relates to personal feelings and introspection, which are valued in traditional philosophies like Confucianism and Daoism. The idea of having an 'inner self' is significant in discussions of character and morality.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 内 (nèi) with 外 (wài), leading to incorrect phrases like '外心' (wài xīn) instead of '内心' (nèi xīn) for 'inner heart.' Another mistake is using it in informal contexts where a more casual word might be appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 内
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Grammar Patterns of 内
内 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). It carries 5 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.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'inner' often relates to personal feelings and introspection, which are valued in traditional philosophies like Confucianism and Daoism. The idea of having an 'inner self' is significant in discussions of character and morality.
Word Family of 内
Compounds11
纳Na4surname Na
呐na4to raise one's voice; to yell, to shout; to stammer
芮Rui4tiny, small; the water's edge
钠na4sodium, natrium; to sharpen wood
讷ne4inarticulate, slow; to mumble, to stammer
吶na4to raise one's voice; to yell, to shout; to stammer
呙Guo1to chat, to gossip, to jaw, to talk; mouth
氝
夐
笍
納na4to adopt, to accept; to receive, to take
Words Containing This Character20
内nèiinside內
内容nèiróngcontent內容
国内guónèidomestic國內
内心nèixīnheart內心
内部nèibùinterior內部
之内zhīnèiinside之內
体内within the body體內
内裤underpants內褲
内衣nèiyīundergarment內衣
在内zàinèiamong them在內
内地nèidìinland內地
内疚guilty conscience內疚
室内indoor室內
内在nèizàiinner內在
境内jìngnèidomestic境內
内涵nèihánimplication內涵
以内yǐnèiwithin以內
国内外at home and abroad國內外
内阁nèigé(government) cabinet內閣
内外nèiwàiabout內外
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 纳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 内
内 (nèi) and 里 (lǐ) both refer to being inside something, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 内 often implies a more formal or internal aspect, while 里 is more casual and commonly used to indicate physical location, like '家里' (jiālǐ), meaning 'at home'. Understanding these nuances can enhance your Chinese language skills.
Some common phrases that include 内 are '内心' (nèixīn), which means 'inner heart' or 'inner feelings', and '内部' (nèibù), meaning 'internal' or 'in-house'. These phrases are often used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts.
内 can be used in sentences to indicate location or condition. For example, '我在房子内' (Wǒ zài fángzi nèi) means 'I am inside the house'. It is also used in compound words like '国内' (guónèi), meaning 'domestic' or 'within the country'.
内 (nèi) translates to 'inside', 'inner', or 'internal' in English. It refers to something that is located within a certain boundary or enclosure. This character is commonly used in various contexts, such as describing the interior of a space or referring to something that is internal.
You can use 内 to describe something that is inside or internal, for example, '我在内心感到快乐' (Wǒ zài nèi xīn gǎndào kuàilè) meaning 'I feel happy inside.'
Yes, 内 is often found in formal contexts, especially when discussing internal matters or organizational structures.
Common phrases include '内部' (nèi bù) for 'internal' and '内心' (nèi xīn) for 'inner heart.'
