Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
压抑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
压抑yāyìto constrain or repress emotionsHSK 7, v, rank #5834, Hard
压抑yāyìoppressiveHSK 7, v, rank #5834, Hard
压抑yāyìstiflingHSK 7, v, rank #5834, Hard
压抑yāyìdepressingHSK 7, v, rank #5834, Hard
压抑yāyìrepressionHSK 7, v, rank #5834, Hard
yāyì(ya1yi4) T1
  1. 1to constrain or repress emotions
  2. 2oppressive
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
压抑(壓抑)yāyì(ya1yi4)

压抑 (yā yì) refers to the act of restraining or suppressing emotions, often leading to feelings of oppression or depression. It is commonly used in psychological contexts to describe emotional repression, as well as in everyday conversation to express feelings of being stifled or overwhelmed by circumstances.

Frequency#5834DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing mental health and emotional struggles historically has been less common, making the concept of 压抑 particularly poignant as it highlights the societal pressure to maintain composure and avoid expressing negative emotions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a heavy weight (压) pressing down on a person's chest, making it hard to breathe or express feelings (抑). The sound 'yā' can remind you of 'yarn' tangled up and unable to unwind, much like repressed emotions that are knotted inside.

Meanings of 压抑

yāyì(ya1yi4)
1to constrain or repress emotions
2oppressive
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 压抑

压抑Simplified
壓抑Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5834Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 压抑

JasonAmy

Podcast: 压抑

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 压抑

Quick Contrast

压制 (yāzhì) - use 压抑 when focusing on emotional suppression rather than physical restraint.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a heavy weight (压) pressing down on a person's chest, making it hard to breathe or express feelings (抑). The sound 'yā' can remind you of 'yarn' tangled up and unable to unwind, much like repressed emotions that are knotted inside.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 压抑 with related terms like 压力 (pressure) but should note that 压抑 specifically pertains to emotional suppression. It is generally used in a more formal or psychological context, so be mindful of the register when using it in conversation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 压抑 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and mental health. Students should focus on understanding its nuances and how it contrasts with similar terms like 表达 (to express) to deepen their emotional vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing mental health and emotional struggles historically has been less common, making the concept of 压抑 particularly poignant as it highlights the societal pressure to maintain composure and avoid expressing negative emotions.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes misuse 压抑 in a non-emotional context, such as saying '这本书让我感到压抑' when they mean 'this book is heavy.' The correct context should be emotional or psychological, such as '我感到压抑' (I feel repressed).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 压抑

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 压抑 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

压yāto press
HSK 46 strokes厂
View full entry
抑yìto restrain
7 strokes扌
View full entry

Write 压抑

压
抑

Practice writing 压抑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 压抑

压抑 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 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

当我们感到愤怒时，____这种情绪反而会觉得内疚。

When we feel anger, we bury the emotion and feel guilty instead.

Example Sentences for 压抑 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
当我们感到愤怒时，压抑这种情绪反而会觉得内疚。

dāng wǒ mén gǎn dào fèn nù shí， ， yā yì zhè zhǒng qíng xù fǎn ér huì jué dé nèi。

When we feel anger, we bury the emotion and feel guilty instead.
2
母亲压抑自己的情感会产生问题。

mǔ qīn yā yì zì jǐ de qíng gǎn huì chǎn shēng wèn tí。

A mother's suppression of her own feelings can cause problems.
3
他压抑住想要抓住艾薇摇晃她的冲动。

tā yā yì zhù xiǎng yào zhuā zhù ài wēi yáo huǎng tā de chōng dòng。

He stifled his temptation to take hold of Ivy and shake her.
4
和父母及两个姐妹生活在一起让她感到很压抑。

hé fù mǔ jí liǎng gè jiě mèi shēng huó zài yī qǐ ràng tā gǎn dào hěn yā yì。

Life at home with her parents and two sisters was stifling.
5
那男孩因跛脚被人讥笑, 变得羞怯而压抑.

nà nán hái yīn bǒ jiǎo bèi rén jī xiào, , biàn dé xiū qiè ér yā.

Having been laughed at for his lameness, the boy became shy and inhibited.

Cultural Notes for 压抑

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussing mental health and emotional struggles historically has been less common, making the concept of 压抑 particularly poignant as it highlights the societal pressure to maintain composure and avoid expressing negative emotions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 压抑

You can say, '他的压抑情绪影响了他的生活,' meaning 'His repressed emotions affected his life.'