引

• Pinyin: yǐn
• Hanzi breakdown: 引 = 弓 (bow) + 丨 (vertical stroke representing the drawn bowstring), pictograph of pulling a bowstring — meaning to pull or lead

Meaning

To lead; to guide; to draw. A versatile verb meaning to guide someone to a place, draw attention towards something, or cite a source.

Appears in many compound words: 引导 (to guide), 引进 (to introduce/bring in), 引起 (to cause), 引用 (to cite/quote), 吸引 (to attract). On its own, 引 typically means to lead or guide someone from one place to another. 引路 means to show the way. 引以为傲 means to take pride in.

Examples

1. 服务员引着我们来到了靠窗的桌子。 The waiter led us to the table by the window.
2. 那幅画把孩子的目光引向了窗外的花园。 That painting drew the child's gaze towards the garden outside the window.
3. 他在演讲中引用了多位专家的研究成果。 In his speech, he cited the research findings of several experts.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, writing, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她引着孩子走过了繁忙的马路。(She led the child across the busy road.)
• 这个问题引发了大家的深入思考。(This question prompted everyone to think deeply.)

Don't Say

• 单独使用'引'表示'引用'时不带宾语 (When using 引 in the sense of 'to cite', always include a clear object — e.g. 引用他的话 (to quote his words); using 引 alone without context is ambiguous)

Origin & History

Derived from the pictographic character for a bow (弓) being drawn back, with a vertical stroke indicating the bowstring being pulled. This image of pulling gave rise to the broader meanings of leading and guiding.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal