surname Yi

JLPT N5 17 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character "" primarily means "wing" in Chinese, referring to the wings of birds, airplanes, or other flying objects. It is also used as a surname, pronounced "Yì".

Common Contexts

You will often see "" in contexts related to flight, such as describing birds, insects, or aircraft. When used as a surname, it appears in personal names and formal documents.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 展开 (yì zhǎn kāi): to spread wings, often used literally for birds or figuratively for gaining freedom or power.
  • 飞机 (fēi jī yì): airplane wing, a common technical term.
  • (yì xià): under the wing, used in both literal and metaphorical senses.

Usage Notes

When used as a noun, "" is quite formal and literary compared to the more common word "翅膀" (chìbǎng) for wings in everyday speech. As a surname, it is relatively rare. Avoid confusing "" with "" (yì), which means righteousness but sounds similar.

Understanding these nuances will help learners use "" appropriately in both spoken and written Chinese.

Example Sentences

The bird spread its wings, ready to fly.

His name is Yi, and he is a very famous writer.

The airplane's wing is designed very advancedly to improve flight