大衣

• Pinyin: dà yī
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 (dà) — big, large; 衣 (yī) — clothing, garment

Meaning

Overcoat; coat. A long outer garment worn over clothes for warmth.

Refers specifically to a long coat or overcoat, typically heavier than a jacket. Distinct from 外套 (general outerwear) and 夹克 (jacket). Commonly worn in autumn and winter.

Examples

1. 今天太冷了，你穿大衣出门吧。 It's too cold today — put on your coat before going out.
2. 她买了一件黑色的大衣，非常好看。 She bought a black coat; it looks really nice.
3. 冬天到了，我要把大衣从柜子里拿出来。 Winter is here — I need to get the coat out of the closet.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, weather, shopping

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 外面很冷，你要穿大衣。(It's cold outside, you should wear a coat.)
• 这件大衣多少钱？(How much is this coat?)

Don't Say

• 不要把薄的短外套叫大衣 — 大衣 specifically refers to long, heavy coats; for lighter or shorter jackets, use 外套 or 夹克 instead.

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big, large) and 衣 (clothing). Named for being a larger, longer garment compared to regular tops.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal