(nèi) — inside; within; interior

Definition

内 (nèi) is a written/formal word for 'inside' or 'within.' In everyday speech use 里 or 里面; 内 shows up mostly in compounds (内部, 以内) or written contexts.

noun
insidewithininterior

Examples

  • Qǐng bǎ míng zì xiě zài xìn fēng nèi.
    Please write your name inside the envelope.
  • Yí gè yuè nèi wǒ yào xué huì yóu yǒng.
    Within one month, I want to learn to swim.
  • Zhè ge fáng jiān nèi hěn gān jìng.
    This room is very clean inside.

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.

  • to enter
  • jiōnghouse

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

Grammar

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