乙

• Pinyin: yǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 乙 = pictograph of a curving sprout, second Heavenly Stem

Meaning

Second; B; Party B. The second item in a sequence, or the second party in a contract.

Part of the traditional Chinese counting system 甲乙丙丁. Used in formal documents to denote 'Party B' in contracts (乙方 vs 甲方 Party A). Also used in grading (乙等 = B grade), scientific naming, and formal lists. In medicine, 乙肝 = Hepatitis B.

Examples

1. 合同中的乙方是指承包商。 Party B in the contract refers to the contractor.
2. 这次考试她得了乙等成绩。 She got a B grade on this exam.
3. 乙肝疫苗应该在婴儿时期接种。 The Hepatitis B vaccine should be administered during infancy.

Usage Guide

Context: contracts, formal documents, grading

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 乙方需要在三十天内完成工程。(Party B must complete the project within thirty days.)
• 我是乙肝病毒携带者。(I am a Hepatitis B carrier.)

Don't Say

• 我是乙 (Too vague — specify context: 乙方, 乙等, etc.)

Origin & History

One of the ten Heavenly Stems (天干) in traditional Chinese numbering. Originally represented a sprouting plant.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal