HSK 1, ng, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #9830, Hard
椅
yǐ
chair, seat
HSK 1, ng, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #9830, Hard
yǐ(yi3) T3
1chair
2chair, seat
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March 24, 2026
椅yǐ(yi3)
The character 椅 (yǐ) refers to a chair or seat, typically used for sitting. This term is commonly encountered in contexts related to furniture, seating arrangements, and discussions about comfort or interior design.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#9830DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the type of chair can signify status and role in social gatherings, with certain chairs used in formal settings like tea ceremonies. The design of chairs may also reflect the aesthetics of Chinese craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chair (椅) made from a tree (木). The character has the tree radical (木) on the left, suggesting it's made of wood. You can remember 'yǐ' by thinking of 'you' sitting on this wooden chair.
Meanings of 椅
yǐ(yi3)
1chair
2chair, seat
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 椅
椅Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#9830Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 椅
Podcast: 椅
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AI Study Notes for 椅
Quick Contrast
椅 (chair) vs 沙发 (sofa) — use 椅 when referring specifically to a chair, while 沙发 indicates a larger seating option for multiple people.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chair (椅) made from a tree (木). The character has the tree radical (木) on the left, suggesting it's made of wood. You can remember 'yǐ' by thinking of 'you' sitting on this wooden chair.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 椅 with other similar characters like 桌 (zhuō), which means table. The word is generally informal, but can be used in various settings, including homes and offices. Common collocations include 椅子 (yǐzi), meaning 'chair'.
HSK Study Tips
Though not explicitly categorized in HSK levels, 椅 is useful for HSK 2 learners who are expanding their vocabulary related to furniture. Students should focus on recognizing similar characters and their radicals.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the type of chair can signify status and role in social gatherings, with certain chairs used in formal settings like tea ceremonies. The design of chairs may also reflect the aesthetics of Chinese craftsmanship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 椅子 (yǐzi) in formal contexts when 椅 (yǐ) is more appropriate. For example, saying '我坐在椅子上' (Wǒ zuò zài yǐzi shàng) instead of '我坐在椅上' can sound overly casual.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 椅
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Grammar Patterns of 椅
椅 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 2 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.
I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support.
2
这张图片中的铁艺藤椅要价125英镑。
zhè zhāng tú piàn zhōng de tiě yì téng yǐ yào jià125 125 yīng。
The rattan and wrought-iron chair pictured here costs £
3
儿童汽车坐椅一周的租金才10英镑。
ér tóng qì chē zuò yǐ yī zhōu de zū jīn cái10 10 yīng。
Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire.
4
拉梅什把椅背调低，倚在上面吸烟。
lā méi shí bǎ yǐ bèi tiáo dī， ， yǐ zài shàng miàn xī。
Ramesh had reclined his seat and was lying back smoking.
5
我们非常拘谨地坐在长椅的两头。
wǒ mén fēi cháng jū jǐn dì zuò zài cháng yǐ de liǎng tóu。
We sat primly at either end of a long settee.
6
塑料面椅子的四角上有几道小裂缝。
sù liào miàn yǐ zǐ de sì jiǎo shàng yǒu jī dào xiǎo liè féng。
The plastic-covered seat has a few small splits around the corners.
7
她像个顽皮的孩子似的，坐在椅子上来回摇晃。
tā xiàng gè wán pí de hái zǐ sì de， ， zuò zài yǐ zǐ shàng lái huí yáo。
She rocks back and forth on her chair like a mischievous child.
8
只负责安装好汽车座椅吗？
zhī fù zé ān zhuāng hǎo qì chē zuò yǐ ma？
Does responsibility end at the fitting of car seats?
9
他们摆好会议的坐椅,每排十把椅子.
tā mén bǎi hǎo huì yì de zuò yǐ, , měi pái shí bǎ yǐ.
They set out the chairs for the meeting in rows of ten.
10
那个人可以比较轻松地从轮椅上移到座位上。
nà gè rén kě yǐ bǐ jiào qīng sōng dì cóng lún yǐ shàng yí dào zuò wèi shàng。
The person can transfer from wheelchair to seat with relative ease.
Cultural Notes for 椅
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the type of chair can signify status and role in social gatherings, with certain chairs used in formal settings like tea ceremonies. The design of chairs may also reflect the aesthetics of Chinese craftsmanship.
Word Family of 椅
Words Containing This Character15
椅子yǐzichair
椅yǐchair
轮椅lúnyǐwheelchair輪椅
座椅seat
长椅bench長椅
躺椅deck chair
椅背the back of a chair
摇椅rocking chair搖椅
睡椅couch
藤椅téngyǐrattan chair
转椅swivel chair轉椅
折叠椅folding chair折疊椅
桌椅板凳chairs and tables
坐椅seat
扶手椅armchair
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 椅子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 椅
You would say '一把椅子' (yī bǎ yǐzi), where '把' is a measure word for chairs.
椅子 (yǐzi) is the more common term for 'chair' in everyday conversation, while 椅 (yǐ) is a more formal or literary term.
Yes, but it's more common to use 椅子 in informal contexts; in formal writing, you may encounter 椅.
