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宜 (yí) — (bound form) suitable, appropriate; (bound form, in negative phrases) should, ought to

Definition

宜 is a bound morpheme, not used alone: it pairs with verbs like 适 to mean 'suitable' (适宜), and appears in fixed phrases meaning 'should' in negative contexts (e.g. 不宜).

bound form
suitableappropriate(bound form, in negative phrases) shouldought to

Examples

  • 。
    Shào ér bù yí.
    Not suitable for children.
  • 。
    Zhè zhǒng tiān qì fēi cháng shì yí hù wài huó dòng.
    This kind of weather is very suitable for outdoor activities.
  • ，。
    Zhè lǐ huán jìng qīng yōu, shí fēn yí rén.
    The environment here is quiet and pleasant.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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

宜 shows 且, a sacrificial altar, with 多, two pieces of meat, depicting two pieces of meat placed on the altar.

Appears in
Good & Bad

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