以内 (yǐ nèi) — within; less than | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

以内 means 'within / no more than' a limit (time, distance, number). Unlike 里 or 内, it pairs with a specific boundary — '三公里以内' means 'within 3 km'.

noun

withinless than

以内。
Qǐng zài sān tiān yǐ nèi wán chéng.
Please complete it within three days.
以内。
Zhè ge jià gé zài yì bǎi yuán yǐ nèi.
This price is within 100 yuan.
以内。
Wǒ men bì xū zài guī dìng shí jiān yǐ nèi dào.
We must arrive within the specified time.

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

The 以 part adds no meaning here, while 内 supplies the sense of inside, giving 'within'.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape shows 入 entering into 冂, a house, so it pictures bringing something indoors, giving the sense inside.

Appears in