Y HSK 7-9 Vocabulary

Browse 429 HSK 7-9 Vocabulary entries for Chinese under Y.

Pinyin Y

以 yǐ With; by means of; in order to. As a preposition or conjunction, indicating method, purpose, or basis.
亦 yì Also; too; likewise. A classical adverb equivalent to 也, used in formal, literary, or written language.
要不 yào bù Otherwise; or else; alternatively. Introduces a contrasting option or consequence, or suggests an alternative course of action.
由来 yóu lái Origin; source; the historical background or causal basis from which something has developed.
议员 yì yuán Member of parliament; legislator; an elected or appointed member of a legislative body.
引发 yǐn fā To trigger; to cause; to give rise to; to set off a chain of consequences. Used for events, reactions, debates, or crises initiated by so...
预算 yù suàn A budget; to budget. A financial plan allocating projected income and expenditure over a specific period for an individual, organisation,...
议会 yì huì Parliament; legislature; a formal elected or appointed assembly with the power to make laws and oversee government.
原本 yuán běn Originally; in the first place; as it was before; from the start. An adverb expressing that something was the case before a change occurr...
一系列 yī xì liè A series of; a string of; a set of. Used before nouns to describe multiple related items, events, or measures that form a connected seque...
有所 yǒu suǒ To some extent; to have some degree of. A formal structure indicating partial degree, always followed by a verb or adjective.
一面 yī miàn One side; one aspect. As an adverb, while/at the same time (一面...一面...).
依 yī To depend on; to rely on; according to. As a preposition, in accordance with or based on.
宇宙 yǔ zhòu The universe; the cosmos. The totality of space, time, matter, energy, and the physical laws governing them.
运营 yùn yíng To operate; operations management. The management and running of a business, service, or system.
舆论 yú lùn Public opinion; public discourse. The collective views, attitudes, and sentiment of the general public or a defined community on a partic...
余 yú Surplus; remaining; more than. As a numeral suffix, over or and more.
与其 yǔ qí Rather than; instead of. A conjunction introducing the less preferred option in a comparison, paired with 不如 or 宁可/宁愿 to state the prefer...
言论 yán lùn Speech; discourse; statement of opinion; expressed views. Refers to spoken or written expressions of opinion or viewpoint, especially in ...
引用 yǐn yòng To quote; to cite; to invoke. Using someone else's words, data, or authority to support an argument or statement.
婴儿 yīng ér Infant; baby (typically from birth to around one year old).
曰 yuē To say; to speak; to state. An archaic Classical Chinese verb of speech, equivalent in meaning to modern 说 (shuō), used almost exclusivel...
遗址 yí zhǐ Historical site; ruins; the remains of an ancient or destroyed settlement, building, or civilisation.
愚蠢 yú chǔn Stupid; foolish; idiotic. Describes a serious lack of intelligence, judgment, or wisdom — in decisions, actions, or thinking.
有机 yǒu jī Organic; of or containing carbon compounds. Also: systematically integrated, forming a coherent whole.
优化 yōu huà To optimise; to improve the efficiency, structure, or performance of a system, process, or resource allocation.
演变 yǎn biàn To evolve; to develop and change over time; to undergo transformation. Describes a gradual, often significant, process of change in form,...
应付 yìng fu To cope with; to deal with; to handle (often perfunctorily). Can mean to manage a situation or to do something just enough to get by.
欲望 yù wàng Desire; craving; appetite; longing. A strong feeling of wanting something — whether material, sensual, or psychological.
一度 yī dù At one point; once; for a time. Used to indicate that something was the case during a specific past period, implying the situation has si...
优 yōu Excellent; superior; of outstanding quality. Used in formal evaluation systems to denote the highest grade, and as a productive prefix in...
一体 yī tǐ A unified whole; an integrated body; unity. Refers to multiple distinct elements being merged or fused into a single, inseparable entity.
疫苗 yì miáo Vaccine; a biological preparation that provides immunity to a specific disease.
译 yì To translate; to interpret. A literary/formal shorthand for 翻译, often appearing in compounds and formal written language.
影像 yǐng xiàng Image; visual representation; footage. Encompasses still and moving images, especially in medical, artistic, and technological contexts.
与此同时 yǔ cǐ tóng shí At the same time; meanwhile; simultaneously. A discourse connective used to introduce a concurrent development, condition, or action.
养殖 yǎng zhí Aquaculture; animal husbandry; to breed and raise animals or aquatic organisms in a controlled environment for commercial or subsistence ...
伊斯兰教 Yī sī lán jiào Islam. One of the world's three major monotheistic religions, founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE, based on the Quran a...
永久 yǒng jiǔ Permanent; lasting; perpetual. Describes something intended to endure indefinitely or without a fixed expiry.
预定 yù dìng To book; to reserve; to pre-order; to schedule in advance. Making arrangements for something before it occurs or becomes available.
引擎 yǐn qíng Engine; motor. The mechanical or computational power unit that drives a system forward.
有意 yǒu yì To have the intention; intentionally; deliberately. As an adverb, on purpose or with interest.
予以 yǔ yǐ To give; to bestow; to accord; to grant. A formal verb used to indicate that something (approval, punishment, support, attention) is offi...
原创 yuán chuàng Original creation; to create something original; genuinely new and first-of-its-kind, not derivative or imitative. As a noun: an original...
一线 yī xiàn Frontline; first-tier. Refers to the most immediate level of work or engagement, or the highest tier within a classification system.
验证 yàn zhèng To verify; to validate; to confirm through testing or evidence. The process of checking whether a hypothesis, claim, identity, or system ...
业绩 yè jì Performance; results; achievements. The measurable output, results, or accomplishments of work in a professional or organisational context.
引入 yǐn rù To introduce; to bring in; to import (a concept, system, technology, or person) from outside into a given context.
也就是说 yě jiù shì shuō That is to say; in other words; meaning that. Used to rephrase, clarify, or draw a conclusion from what was just stated.
遥远 yáo yuǎn Distant; far away. Describes great physical distance or a remote point in time.
意图 yì tú Intention; intent; purpose. The deliberate aim or design behind an action, especially in formal, legal, or diplomatic contexts.
盈利 yíng lì To make a profit; to earn a surplus. As a noun: profit, earnings. Describes the state of operating with positive financial returns.
诱惑 yòu huò Temptation; to tempt; enticement; allure. A powerful attraction that draws one toward something potentially harmful or morally questionab...
谣言 yáo yán Rumour; false rumour; unfounded claim spread among people, often causing alarm or misinformation.
抑制 yì zhì To suppress; to inhibit; to hold back or restrain an emotion, process, growth, or biological function.
野蛮 yě mán Barbaric; savage; brutal. Describes behaviour, conduct, or attitudes that are crude, uncivilised, or violently unreasonable.
营造 yíng zào To create; to build; to cultivate (an atmosphere, environment, or culture). To deliberately construct a setting or mood.
运转 yùn zhuǎn To run; to operate; to function. Describes the working or revolving of a machine, system, or mechanism.
一一 yī yī One by one; individually; one after another. An adverb indicating that something is done or listed completely, in full, without omission,...
夜晚 yè wǎn The night; nighttime. Refers to the period of darkness from after sunset until before dawn.
议 yì To discuss; to deliberate; to confer on matters formally. Often appears in compound words and formal written contexts.
源于 yuán yú To originate from; to stem from; to have its root in. A formal expression introducing the origin or derivation of a phenomenon, concept, ...
遇上 yù shang To happen upon; to come across; to run into; to encounter by chance or circumstance. A colloquial and versatile verb for chance encounter...
预言 yù yán A prophecy; a prediction; to prophesy; to predict. A statement about what will happen in the future, often with a sense of special insigh...
牙齿 yá chǐ Tooth; teeth. The standard general term for the teeth in the human or animal mouth.
掩盖 yǎn gài To cover up; to conceal; to hide. To obscure the truth, a mistake, or an unpleasant reality — either physically or metaphorically.
一眼 yī yǎn At a glance; in a single look; at first sight. Describes perceiving, recognising, or judging something from one brief, unrepeated act of ...
隐瞒 yǐn mán To conceal; to hide; to cover up. Deliberately withholding information that should be disclosed.
有助于 yǒu zhù yú To be helpful for; to contribute to; to facilitate. Indicates that something plays a positive supporting role in achieving a particular o...
一阵 yī zhèn A burst of; a spell of; a bout of. Describes a brief, concentrated occurrence of sound, sensation, activity, or emotion.
余额 yú é Balance; remaining amount. The amount of money or resources remaining in an account, fund, or budget after deductions.
钥匙 yào shi Key (for a lock). A small metal instrument used to open or close a lock.
压缩 yā suō To compress; to condense; to reduce. Refers to the physical compression of matter, the reduction of file size, or the trimming of a timel...
眼神 yǎn shén The look in one's eyes; one's gaze; the expression conveyed through the eyes. The emotional or psychological quality visible in a person'...
拥护 yōng hù To support; to uphold; to endorse. Implies active backing of a person, policy, or cause with genuine conviction.
永恒 yǒng héng Eternal; everlasting; perpetual. Describes something that transcends time and remains unchanged forever.
孕妇 yùn fù Pregnant woman; expectant mother. A woman who is carrying a fetus.
浴室 yù shì Bathroom; bathroom with bathing facilities; washroom. A room equipped for bathing, typically including a shower, bathtub, or both.
压制 yā zhì To suppress; to quash; to hold down by force or authority. Used when a more powerful party forcibly restrains or silences opposition, dis...
野兽 yě shòu Wild animal; beast. Refers to untamed, wild animals, especially large or ferocious ones. Also used figuratively for a brutal or savage pe...
以免 yǐ miǎn So as to avoid; in order to prevent; lest. A conjunction used to introduce the undesirable outcome that a preceding action is taken to pr...
用力 yòng lì To exert force; to apply strength; to put in physical effort. Describes the deliberate application of physical or muscular energy.
一手 yī shǒu Single-handedly; firsthand. Also refers to a skill or trick; in some contexts, exclusive control.
月初 yuè chū Beginning of the month; early part of the month. Generally refers to roughly the first ten days of a calendar month.
严峻 yán jùn Severe; grim; acute; stern. Describes a situation, challenge, or countenance that is harsh, demanding, and formidable — often implying pr...
邀 yāo To invite; to request someone's presence or participation; to solicit. A formal or literary verb for extending an invitation.
遗体 yí tǐ Mortal remains; the body of a deceased person. A respectful, formal term used in official, medical, and journalistic contexts.
有益 yǒu yì Beneficial; advantageous; good for. Indicates that something produces positive effects or contributes to wellbeing, development, or progr...
乐器 yuè qì Musical instrument. Any device used to produce musical sounds.
演说 yǎn shuō To give a speech; an oration; a formal public address. A prepared or extemporaneous speech delivered to an audience with the intent to in...
犹如 yóu rú To be just like; to resemble; as if. A literary comparative verb used to draw a vivid simile or analogy.
远程 yuǎn chéng Remote; long-distance. Describes operations, services, communications, or activities carried out across a significant spatial gap without...
液体 yè tǐ Liquid; fluid. One of the fundamental states of matter, characterised by a definite volume but no fixed shape, taking the form of its con...
样本 yàng běn Sample; specimen; a representative unit drawn from a larger group for study, testing, or reference. Used in statistics, science, medicine...
优越 yōu yuè Superior; advantageous; favourable. Describes conditions, positions, or environments that are notably better than average or than compara...
院士 yuàn shì Academician; Fellow of a national academy of sciences or engineering. The highest honorary title in Chinese academic and scientific insti...
沿岸 yán àn Along the coast; along the bank. The area or zone running alongside a river, lake, or sea shore.
优雅 yōu yǎ Elegant; graceful; refined. Combines physical grace with cultural cultivation and intellectual polish.
运送 yùn sòng To transport; to convey; to ship. To move goods, people, or materials from one place to another.
一家人 yī jiā rén Family members; one's own family; people of the same household. Also used figuratively for groups as close as family or who share a commo...
遗忘 yí wàng To forget; to fail to remember; to slip from memory. Refers to the gradual or complete loss of a memory, fact, or person from one's consc...
一头 yī tóu Headlong; one end. As an adverb, suddenly or directly into. As a measure word, for large animals.
压抑 yā yì To suppress; to repress; to hold back (emotions or expression). Also used as an adjective describing a stifling, oppressive atmosphere or...
永不 yǒng bù Never; at no time ever. An absolute negation across all time — past, present, and future.
元首 yuán shǒu Head of state; supreme leader of a sovereign nation. The highest formal representative of a country in its constitutional or political st...
移植 yí zhí To transplant; to graft. In medicine: organ or tissue transplant. In botany: transplanting seedlings. In technology/culture: transplantin...
邮政 yóu zhèng Postal service; the national system for transmitting mail, parcels, and related services. Often used attributively to describe things rel...
岩石 yán shí Rock; stone. The solid mineral matter forming the earth's crust, or large masses of such material. More formal and scientific than the co...
异议 yì yì Objection; dissent; a differing opinion formally raised against a decision, statement, or proposal.
要点 yào diǎn Key point; main point; essential element. The most important aspect of something, such as an argument, task, or piece of information.
迎 yíng To welcome; to greet; to go to meet someone. Also used as a prefix meaning 'facing towards' (e.g., 迎面 — head-on).
幼稚 yòu zhì Childish; naive; immature. Describes thinking, behavior, or ideas that lack depth, experience, or sophistication appropriate to the context.
演习 yǎn xí A military exercise; a large-scale drill or simulated operation. A planned, realistic practice exercise — particularly in military or civ...
掩饰 yǎn shì To disguise; to gloss over; to conceal one's true feelings, intentions, or flaws. To put on a false appearance in order to hide an inner ...
以致 yǐ zhì So that; resulting in; causing. A conjunction introducing a consequence — typically undesirable or serious — that follows directly from t...
悠久 yōu jiǔ Long-standing; of great historical depth; stretching far back in time. Describes civilisations, traditions, cultures, or relationships of...
语气 yǔ qì Tone; manner of speaking; mood; tenor. The affective quality conveyed through how something is said — the attitude, feeling, or intent ex...
演绎 yǎn yì To deduce; to interpret; to perform. As a noun, deduction or rendition.
依托 yī tuō To rely on; to use as a base or foundation. To build upon or leverage something as a supporting structure or resource.
涌现 yǒng xiàn To emerge in large numbers; to spring up; to come to the fore suddenly and abundantly. Describes the rapid, prolific appearance of talent...
严密 yán mì Tight; thorough; airtight; watertight. Describes something meticulously arranged with no gaps, loopholes, or weaknesses. Can also functio...
引领 yǐn lǐng To lead; to guide; to pioneer. Implies being at the forefront of a movement, trend, or field and showing others the way forward.
预告 yù gào To announce in advance; a preview; a trailer; advance notice. Giving prior notification of something that is to come.
掩护 yǎn hù To cover; to provide cover for; to shield. To protect someone or something by creating a diversion, providing physical protection, or act...
衍生 yǎn shēng To derive; to spawn; to give rise to. Describes the process of one thing developing from, branching out of, or being generated by another.
摇滚 yáo gǔn Rock (music); rock and roll. A genre of popular music originating in the 1950s, characterised by a strong beat, electric guitars, and oft...
扬 yáng To raise; to lift up; to spread; to make known. Carries senses of upward motion, dispersal, and making something visible or audible.
议程 yì chéng Agenda; the schedule of topics to be discussed or acted upon at a formal meeting or conference.
友人 yǒu rén Friend; companion. A formal or literary term for a friend, used primarily in written language and formal contexts.
硬币 yìng bì Coin; a hard metal piece of currency.
严谨 yán jǐn Rigorous; meticulous; thorough; careful and precise. Describes a disciplined, methodical approach — especially in academic, professional,...
渔民 yú mín Fisherman; fisherfolk; fishing community members. People whose livelihood depends on catching fish or other aquatic life.
隐形 yǐn xíng Invisible; hidden from sight; stealth. Describes something that cannot be seen by the naked eye or that operates without being detected.
疑惑 yí huò To be puzzled; to feel confused or perplexed. Also used as a noun: doubt; perplexity; confusion.
忧虑 yōu lǜ To worry; to be anxious; to harbour deep and sustained concern about a specific matter. More serious and substantive than everyday worry.
源头 yuán tóu Headwaters; source; the very origin of a river, problem, or phenomenon. The traceable starting point from which something flows or arises.
英镑 yīng bàng Pound sterling (GBP); the official currency of the United Kingdom.
有望 yǒu wàng Hopeful; promising; expected to. Indicates that something has a good prospect of being achieved or occurring.
拥挤 yōng jǐ To crowd; to be packed. As an adjective, crowded, congested, or cramped.
野心 yě xīn Ambition; wild ambition. An intense, often ruthless desire for power, status, or control that goes beyond what is considered proper or re...
一旁 yī páng One side; to the side; beside; nearby. Refers to a lateral position adjacent to the main action or subject, typically occupied by an obse...
赢家 yíng jiā Winner; the person or party that wins or prevails. Can refer to competitions, negotiations, markets, or broader life situations.
预料 yù liào To anticipate; to expect; to predict; expectation; prediction. Forming a reasonable expectation about a future event based on available i...
勇于 yǒng yú To have the courage to; to be willing and brave enough to do something that requires moral or physical bravery.
涌 yǒng To surge; to gush; to well up; to pour forth in great volume. Describes rapid, powerful movement of liquid, people, or emotions.
优异 yōu yì Outstanding; exceptionally excellent. Describes performance, results, or qualities that markedly surpass the ordinary standard.
以至于 yǐ zhì yú So much so that; to the extent that; with the result that. A conjunction indicating that the preceding situation has reached such a degre...
移交 yí jiāo To hand over; to transfer; to turn over. Refers to the formal transfer of authority, responsibility, files, suspects, or assets from one ...
原型 yuán xíng Prototype; archetype; original model; the original person, thing, or concept upon which a fictional character or theoretical model is based.
圆形 yuán xíng Circular shape; circle; round form. A geometric shape that is perfectly round, or an object or space characterised by this shape.
验收 yàn shōu To inspect and accept (a completed project, delivered goods, or finished work); acceptance inspection. The formal process of checking tha...
友善 yǒu shàn Friendly; amicable; kind. Describing a warm and hospitable attitude toward others.
忧郁 yōu yù Melancholic; depressed; gloomy. A deeper, more pervasive sadness — often with literary, artistic, or psychological connotations.
有待 yǒu dài Remains to be; awaiting. Indicates that something still needs to be done, verified, or determined.
样品 yàng pǐn Sample product; specimen; a physical example of a product provided for inspection, evaluation, or display before bulk production or purch...
异性 yì xìng The opposite sex; a person of a different gender. As an adjective: of the opposite sex.
营救 yíng jiù To rescue; to save someone from danger. Implies deliberate, organised effort to free or save people in peril.
游览 yóu lǎn To tour; to sightsee. To travel through a place for pleasure and observation, taking in the scenery or cultural attractions.
与否 yǔ fǒu Whether or not; yes or no. A formal suffix appended to a verb or adjective to form a choice question or indirect question about whether s...
野外 yě wài The open country; outdoors; the wild. Refers to open natural areas outside of towns and buildings.
严禁 yán jìn To strictly prohibit; strictly forbidden. A strong, official prohibition used in regulations, notices, and formal instructions.
研讨 yán tǎo To research and discuss; to deliberate on an academic or professional topic through structured group exchange. Combines research-based an...
遗留 yí liú To leave behind; to bequeath; to remain as a legacy (often problematic). Refers to things left over from the past, especially unresolved ...
运河 yùn hé Canal. An artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or water management.
矣 yǐ Classical Chinese sentence-final particle indicating completion, assertion, or a settled state of affairs. Broadly equivalent to modern 了...
押 yā To escort under guard; to detain; to mortgage or pledge as collateral. Also used in the literary sense of rhyming (押韵).
厌倦 yàn juàn To become weary of; to lose interest in something after prolonged engagement. Suggests a deeper, more existential weariness than mere ann...
沿线 yán xiàn Along the line; along a route. Refers to areas, places, or conditions distributed along a linear path such as a railway, highway, pipelin...
仪表 yí biǎo Appearance; bearing; deportment. Also: instrument panel; gauge. Refers either to a person's outward appearance and demeanour, or to measu...
一连串 yī lián chuàn A string of; a series of; a succession of. Describes multiple events, problems, or items occurring one after another in a chain-like sequ...
音响 yīn xiǎng Audio equipment; sound system; stereo. Also used as a compound to mean acoustics (the physics of sound in spaces).
隐患 yǐn huàn Hidden danger; latent risk; potential hazard that has not yet manifested but poses a serious threat.
预见 yù jiàn To foresee; to anticipate; foresight; foreknowledge. The capacity to perceive or predict future developments through reasoning, insight, ...
预先 yù xiān In advance; beforehand; prior to. Indicates that an action is done before something else happens or before a specified time.
越过 yuè guò To cross over; to surmount; to bypass. To pass over or beyond a boundary, obstacle, or limit.
尤为 yóu wéi Especially; particularly; above all others. A formal adverb that singles out one element as most notable or most relevant among several.
养生 yǎng shēng Health cultivation; nurturing one's vitality; the practice of maintaining and improving health through lifestyle, diet, exercise, and rest.
意向 yì xiàng Intention; inclination; preliminary interest or disposition toward an action, often in a business or official context.
油画 yóu huà Oil painting; a painting created with pigments suspended in oil, typically on canvas. Also refers to the technique itself.
演示 yǎn shì To demonstrate; to present; to give a demonstration. To show how something works or to illustrate a concept through a live or visual pres...
用人 yòng rén The employment and management of personnel; talent utilisation. Refers to the philosophy and practice of selecting, deploying, and managi...
鹰 yīng Eagle; hawk. A large bird of prey. Also used figuratively for someone sharp-eyed, aggressive, or politically hawkish.
余地 yú dì Room; leeway; margin; space for maneuver. The latitude or flexibility remaining within a situation, negotiation, or plan.
诱人 yòu rén Alluring; enticing; tempting; attractive. Describes something that is powerfully appealing to the senses or desires, drawing one toward it.
氧 yǎng Oxygen (O). The chemical element essential for aerobic respiration and combustion, making up approximately 21% of the Earth's atmosphere.
疑虑 yí lǜ Misgivings; doubts and concerns; apprehension. Refers to a mixture of doubt and worry about a plan, decision, or person's intentions.
原地 yuán dì In place; on the spot; at one's original position; without moving; where one started. Refers to the original or current location without ...
要不是 yào bù shì If it were not for; had it not been for. Introduces a counterfactual condition — the situation would have been different without the stat...
要紧 yào jǐn Important; urgent; serious. Describes something that matters greatly or requires immediate attention.
硬盘 yìng pán Hard disk drive (HDD); hard drive. The primary storage device in computers, or more broadly any non-volatile storage device including SSD...
隐蔽 yǐn bì To conceal; to hide; to take cover. As an adjective, hidden, concealed, or covert.
痒 yǎng Itchy; to itch. Describes a skin sensation that provokes the urge to scratch, caused by irritation, allergy, insect bites, or other stimuli.
引诱 yǐn yòu To lure; to entice; to tempt. Drawing someone toward something through attraction, often with a negative connotation of deception or mora...
一举 yī jǔ One move; single action. As an adverb, at one stroke, in one fell swoop.
阳性 yáng xìng Positive (in a test result); yang polarity; masculine gender (in grammar). In medicine, indicates a test has detected the target substanc...
友情 yǒu qíng Friendship; the emotional bond of goodwill shared between friends. Focuses on the sentimental and affective dimension of friendship.
遇难 yù nàn To perish in a disaster, accident, or violent incident; to lose one's life in a calamity. A formal term used in official and journalistic...
延 yán To extend; to stretch out; to prolong; to invite or engage. A formal or literary verb expressing the continuation or lengthening of time,...
养活 yǎng huo To support; to feed; to keep alive financially or materially. To provide for the basic sustenance and livelihood of a person, family, or ...
遥控 yáo kòng Remote control; to control something from a distance, either by a handheld device or electronically over a network.
演戏 yǎn xì To act in a play; to put on a performance; figuratively, to pretend or put on an act. Covers both literal stage performance and the sense...
一味 yī wèi Blindly; stubbornly; single-mindedly (in a negative sense). Describes persisting in a single course of action without regard for reason, ...
原材料 yuán cái liào Raw materials; primary materials or substances used as inputs in manufacturing or production. Unprocessed or minimally processed substanc...
预示 yù shì To foreshadow; to portend; to indicate in advance; to presage. Something serving as a sign or signal of what is to come.
言行 yán xíng Words and deeds; speech and actions taken together. Refers to a person's expressed statements and actual conduct as a unified measure of ...
遗嘱 yí zhǔ A will; a testament. A legal or personal document in which a person expresses their wishes regarding the distribution of their estate or ...
渔船 yú chuán Fishing vessel; fishing boat. A watercraft used for catching fish or other marine life, ranging from small traditional boats to large ind...
演技 yǎn jì Acting skills; performing ability; the craft and technique of an actor or performer.
愈来愈 yù lái yù More and more; increasingly; progressively. A formal variant of 越来越, expressing a continuous increase in degree or intensity.
妖怪 yāo guài Monster; demon; goblin; supernatural creature. A malevolent or mischievous supernatural being from Chinese folk mythology and fantasy lit...
与众不同 yǔ zhòng bù tóng Different from others; unique; distinctive; standing out from the crowd. Describes someone or something that is markedly unlike the gener...
延误 yán wù To delay; to hold up; to cause a damaging or consequential delay. Implies that the delay has resulted in or risks causing a negative outc...
一心 yī xīn Wholeheartedly; single-mindedly; with one's entire heart and mind directed at a single aim. Used adverbially to describe complete, undivi...
用餐 yòng cān To have a meal; to dine. A polite and formal way to refer to the act of eating a meal.
有所不同 yǒu suǒ bù tóng Somewhat different; differ in some respects. Indicates a partial or nuanced difference rather than a complete contrast.
预感 yù gǎn A premonition; a presentiment; to have a gut feeling about something before it happens. An intuitive sense that something (often signific...
厌烦 yàn fán To feel annoyed, fed up, or weary; to be bored or irritated by something that has gone on too long. Suggests a mixture of tedium and mild...
烟火 yān huǒ Fireworks; pyrotechnics. Also literally: smoke and fire. Used for celebratory fireworks displays and to poetically evoke the ordinary war...
验 yàn To test; to examine; to verify; to check whether something meets an expected standard. Often appears as a verb root in compound words.
酝酿 yùn niàng To brew; to ferment; to deliberate. To slowly develop or prepare something over time before it comes to fruition.
一无所有 yī wú suǒ yǒu Having nothing at all; not possessing a single thing; utterly destitute. Describes a state of complete material or spiritual emptiness.
月票 yuè piào Monthly pass; monthly ticket. A transit or access card valid for one calendar month.
摇晃 yáo huàng To rock; to shake; to sway; to wobble. Describes an unstable, unsteady back-and-forth or up-and-down physical motion.
一无所知 yī wú suǒ zhī Knowing nothing at all; completely ignorant; having not the faintest idea. Describes a total absence of knowledge or awareness about some...
引人注目 yǐn rén zhù mù Eye-catching; attention-grabbing; conspicuous. Drawing the notice and gaze of those nearby.
渊源 yuān yuán Origin; source; root; deep-rooted historical connection or relationship. The original source from which something flows, like a river fro...
演练 yǎn liàn To drill; to rehearse through practice; to conduct a training exercise. A structured, realistic practice session designed to build profic...
炎热 yán rè Scorching hot; sweltering; blazing hot. Describes extreme, oppressive heat — particularly summer weather or a hot environment.
一瞬间 yī shùn jiān In an instant; in a single moment. Describes an extremely brief span of time in which something occurs or changes.
抑郁 yì yù Depressed; melancholic; emotionally suppressed. Describes a state of persistent low mood, despondency, or psychological oppression.
遗弃 yí qì To abandon; to desert; to forsake. Refers to deliberately leaving behind a person, animal, or responsibility with no intention of returning.
义工 yì gōng Volunteer; a person who donates their time and labour without pay to serve society or those in need.
有幸 yǒu xìng To be fortunate enough to; to have the good fortune of. Expresses gratitude and appreciation for a rare or valuable opportunity.
有序 yǒu xù Orderly; in order; well-organized. Describes a state or process that proceeds systematically according to a clear structure or sequence.
岳父 yuè fù Father-in-law (wife's father). The father of one's spouse, specifically referring to the wife's father.
隐身 yǐn shēn To make oneself invisible; to conceal one's presence; stealth. The act of hiding from view or detection.
沿途 yán tú Along the way; en route. As an adverb, throughout the journey.
要害 yào hài Vital point; critical vulnerability; the most important or most sensitive aspect of something.
一早 yī zǎo Early in the morning; first thing in the morning. Can also mean 'from the very start' or 'long ago/already early on' in colloquial usage,...
有效期 yǒu xiào qī Validity period; period of effectiveness; expiration date. The duration during which something is officially valid.
诱发 yòu fā To trigger; to induce; to precipitate. Describes a factor that causes or brings about a condition, event, or reaction — often used in med...
要命 yào mìng Extremely; terribly; to an unbearable degree. Colloquially used as an intensifier for pain, difficulty, or annoyance. Literally 'to take ...
阴暗 yīn àn Dark and gloomy; shadowy and dim. Figuratively: sinister, murky, psychologically dark or morally corrupt.
涌入 yǒng rù To pour into; to flood in; to stream into in large numbers. Describes a massive, rapid influx of people, things, or information into a sp...
陨石 yǔn shí Meteorite. A rock or mineral mass that has fallen to Earth from outer space after surviving atmospheric entry.
应聘 yìng pìn To apply for a position; to respond to a job offer or recruitment. The act of submitting one's candidacy for an advertised post.
迎合 yíng hé To cater to; to pander to; to accommodate oneself to others' tastes or wishes, often at the expense of principle.
饮水 yǐn shuǐ Drinking water; to drink water. Refers to the act of drinking water or to water intended for drinking.
摇摆 yáo bǎi To sway; to swing; to oscillate; to waver. Describes a back-and-forth physical motion or, figuratively, an unstable or vacillating stance.
孕育 yùn yù To nurture; to give birth to; to breed. To foster the development of something new, whether life, ideas, or civilizations.
邮编 yóu biān Postal code; postcode; the numerical code assigned to a geographical area to facilitate mail sorting and delivery.
越发 yuè fā Even more; increasingly. An adverb indicating that a quality or degree is intensifying further.
养老金 yǎng lǎo jīn Pension; retirement fund. Money paid regularly to a retired or elderly person, drawn from a pension system or accumulated personal savings.
耀眼 yào yǎn Dazzling; blindingly bright; brilliant. Describes something so bright or impressive that it is hard to look at or hard to ignore.
悠闲 yōu xián Leisurely; unhurried; relaxed and carefree. Describes a state of peaceful ease, free from urgency or pressure.
怨恨 yuàn hèn Resentment; bitter hatred; a deep, smouldering animosity. As a verb: to harbour deep resentment towards someone for wrongs perceived or s...
源泉 yuán quán Fountainhead; wellspring; the fundamental source from which something originates and continuously flows. Figuratively, the driving force ...
眼下 yǎn xià At present; right now; at this moment. Refers to the current state of affairs or the immediate moment in time.
眼界 yǎn jiè Field of vision; breadth of perspective; horizon of knowledge and experience. The range of what one has seen, knows, or can perceive — bo...
遗物 yí wù Belongings left behind by the deceased; relics; personal effects of someone who has died.
踊跃 yǒng yuè To leap enthusiastically; eagerly; actively. As an adjective, enthusiastic or eager to participate.
燕子 yàn zi Swallow (the bird). A small migratory bird (family Hirundinidae) with a forked tail and graceful flight, deeply associated in Chinese cul...
一如既往 yī rú jì wǎng Just as always; as before; continuing as before without change. Idiom expressing that something remains exactly as it has always been — c...
用意 yòng yì Intention; purpose; underlying motive. The real reason or aim behind an action, especially one that may not be immediately apparent.
逾期 yú qī Overdue; past the deadline; to exceed the time limit. Describes a payment, action, or submission that has not been completed within the r...
愈演愈烈 yù yǎn yù liè To become increasingly intense; to escalate from bad to worse; to worsen progressively. Used for situations, conflicts, or problems that ...
冤 yuān Injustice; grievance; wrongful accusation. As an adjective, unjust, wronged, or not worth it.
牙膏 yá gāo Toothpaste. A paste or gel used with a toothbrush to clean and protect teeth.
窑 yáo Kiln; a furnace or oven used for firing ceramics, bricks, or lime at high temperature. Also refers to cave dwellings in northern China.
由此可见 yóu cǐ kě jiàn From this it can be seen; this demonstrates that. A formal logical connector introducing a conclusion or inference that follows from the ...
应邀 yìng yāo At the invitation of; in response to an invitation. Used to indicate that an action is taken because one was formally invited.
蕴藏 yùn cáng To contain; to hold in store; to harbor. To have something rich or significant stored within, often referring to natural resources or hid...
银幕 yín mù The (cinema) screen; the silver screen. A formal and literary term for film as a medium or the physical cinema screen.
压倒 yā dǎo To overwhelm; to overpower; to decisively surpass. Describes one force, argument, quantity, or quality completely dominating or defeating...
延缓 yán huǎn To delay; to retard; to slow the progress or onset of something. To buy more time by deliberately slowing a process.
言辞 yán cí Words; verbal expression; the language and manner in which one speaks. Refers to the specific words chosen and the way they are delivered.
一举一动 yī jǔ yī dòng Every single action; each and every move; one's every gesture and behaviour. Used when someone's actions are being carefully watched, scr...
一概 yī gài Without exception; across the board; universally. Used to indicate that something applies to all members of a category, with no distincti...
印证 yìn zhèng To verify; to corroborate; to confirm through evidence. Also used as a noun: corroboration, verification.
瘾 yǐn Addiction; craving; strong habitual desire. An intense, hard-to-resist urge toward a substance, behaviour, or activity.
摇篮 yáo lán Cradle. A small bed for infants that can be rocked gently. Figuratively, the birthplace or nurturing origin of something important.
寓意 yù yì Implied meaning; allegorical significance; symbolic moral or message embedded within a work, action, or object. The deeper significance t...
远见 yuǎn jiàn Foresight; vision; the capacity to anticipate future developments and plan accordingly. Long-sighted wisdom about what lies ahead.
烟囱 yān cōng Chimney; smokestack; flue. A vertical structure designed to vent smoke and combustion gases from a fireplace, furnace, boiler, or industr...
毅力 yì lì Willpower; perseverance; the sustained mental strength to persist through difficulty and hardship over a long period.
晕倒 yūn dǎo To faint; to pass out. To lose consciousness suddenly and fall down.
医务 yī wù Medical affairs; medical services. Matters relating to the practice of medicine, medical administration, or healthcare work.
椰子 yē zi Coconut; the large, round fruit of the coconut palm, containing coconut water and white flesh.
一大早 yī dà zǎo Very early in the morning; at the crack of dawn. Used to describe an action or event that occurs at an unusually or impressively early hour.
阴性 yīn xìng Negative (in a medical or scientific test); Yin polarity (in traditional Chinese medicine or physics). The opposite of 阳性 (positive/Yang).
印章 yìn zhāng Seal; stamp; chop. A carved implement used to make an impression on documents as a mark of identity, authority, or authenticity.
英俊 yīng jùn Handsome; strikingly good-looking (typically of a man). Describes refined, masculine attractiveness.
饮用水 yǐn yòng shuǐ Drinking water; potable water. Water that meets quality standards safe for human consumption.
元老 yuán lǎo Senior veteran; founding member; elder statesman; long-standing member of an organisation with great seniority and prestige. One who has ...
一连 yī lián Consecutively; one after another; for several (times/days/nights) in a row. Emphasises an unbroken, uninterrupted sequence of the same ty...
意料 yì liào To anticipate; to expect. As a noun: expectation, anticipation. Most commonly used in phrases such as 出乎意料 (beyond expectation) and 在意料之中...
映 yìng To reflect; to shine onto; to project (light or an image). Used for light reflecting on water, colours contrasting, or images being cast.
冤枉 yuān wang To wrong someone; to accuse falsely. As an adjective, wronged or unjust.
药材 yào cái Medicinal herbs and materials; raw ingredients used in traditional Chinese medicine.
芽 yá Bud; sprout; shoot. The new growth emerging from a seed, plant, or dormant branch, representing the beginning of new life.
液晶 yè jīng Liquid crystal. A state of matter with physical properties intermediate between those of a liquid and a crystalline solid, widely used in...
抑郁症 yì yù zhèng Depression (clinical); major depressive disorder. A diagnosed psychiatric condition characterised by persistent low mood, loss of interes...
益处 yì chù Benefit; advantage; the positive gain or good derived from something.
一经 yī jīng Once; as soon as; upon (doing something). An adverb introducing a conditional clause: once a particular action occurs or condition is met...
愈合 yù hé To heal; to close over; to mend. Used specifically of wounds, cuts, or fractures — both physical and, metaphorically, psychological or so...
丫头 yā tou Girl; lass; young woman. An informal, affectionate term for a young girl or woman, often used by an older speaker. Also used colloquially...
夜总会 yè zǒng huì Nightclub; cabaret. An entertainment venue operating primarily at night, offering music, dancing, alcohol service, and often live perform...
有朝一日 yǒu zhāo yī rì One day; someday in the future. Refers to a hoped-for or anticipated future point in time, often conveying determination or patient aspir...
寓言 yù yán Fable; allegory; parable. A short narrative with a moral lesson, typically featuring animals or personified objects as characters who emb...
哑 yǎ Mute; unable to speak; voiceless. Also describes a hoarse or raspy voice, or sounds that are suppressed and inaudible.
应酬 yìng chou To socialise for business purposes; to entertain clients or associates. As a noun: social obligations, business entertainment, wining and...
预兆 yù zhào Omen; sign; harbinger. As a verb, to foreshadow or presage.
演艺圈 yǎn yì quān The entertainment industry; the world of performing arts. Refers to the broader ecosystem of actors, singers, entertainers, and the insti...
荧光 yíng guāng Fluorescence; fluorescent light. Light emitted by a substance when it absorbs and re-emits radiation. Also used as an adjective meaning f...
一天到晚 yī tiān dào wǎn All day long; from morning till night; the whole day through. Emphasises that an activity or state persists throughout the entire waking ...
缘分 yuán fèn Predestined relationship; fate or destiny that brings people together; the metaphysical bond connecting individuals across time and circu...
预赛 yù sài A preliminary round; a qualifier; heat. A competition held to determine who advances to the main or final round.
野餐 yě cān To have a picnic; to eat a meal outdoors in a natural setting. Also used as a noun.
炎症 yán zhèng Inflammation. A biological response of body tissue to harmful stimuli, characterised by redness, swelling, heat, pain, and impaired funct...
一塌糊涂 yī tā hú tú In a complete mess; utterly chaotic; hopelessly muddled. Describes a situation, relationship, or performance that has descended into tota...
隐约 yǐn yuē Vague; faint; indistinct. Perceived dimly or partially, as through a veil or from a distance.
由衷 yóu zhōng Heartfelt; sincere; coming genuinely from the heart. Used to describe expressions of feeling or gratitude that are truly felt, not perfor...
诱饵 yòu ěr Bait; lure; enticement. Something used to attract and trap, whether in fishing, hunting, or figuratively to deceive or manipulate.
阅历 yuè lì Experience; life experience. The breadth of knowledge and insight gained through living and encountering varied situations.
淹 yān To flood; to submerge; to inundate. To cover or overwhelm with water. Can also mean to drown or to overwhelm figuratively.
一成不变 yī chéng bù biàn Fixed and unchanging; rigid; inflexible; set in stone. Describes something or someone that does not adapt or evolve despite changing circ...
毅然 yì rán Resolutely; decisively; with firm determination and without hesitation. Used to describe actions taken despite difficulty, risk, or oppos...
一把手 yī bǎ shǒu The top leader; the person in overall charge. The highest-ranking official or decision-maker in an organisation, institution, or governme...
一帆风顺 yī fān fēng shùn Plain sailing; smooth all the way; everything proceeding without obstacles or setbacks. Used to describe an endeavour or journey that goe...
庸俗 yōng sú Vulgar; philistine; lowbrow; lacking refinement or taste. Describes attitudes, behaviour, or content that is crude and intellectually or ...
忧愁 yōu chóu Sorrowful; melancholic; burdened with worry and quiet sadness. An emotional state of persistent, inward-turning grief.
预售 yù shòu Pre-sale; advance sale; to sell in advance before the official launch or availability date.
岳母 yuè mǔ Mother-in-law (wife's mother). The mother of one's spouse, specifically the wife's mother.
姨 yí Maternal aunt (mother's sister). Also used as a respectful form of address for women of one's mother's generation.
疑点 yí diǎn A doubtful point; a suspicious detail; a questionable aspect. Refers to a specific element that raises doubt or suspicion, especially in ...
韵味 yùn wèi Charm; lingering appeal; artistic flavor. The subtle, lasting aesthetic quality of art, poetry, music, or culture.
隐性 yǐn xìng Recessive; latent; hidden in nature. Describes something whose properties or effects are not immediately apparent or expressed.
药方 yào fāng Prescription; a written formula specifying medicinal ingredients and dosages, especially in traditional Chinese medicine.
应有尽有 yīng yǒu jìn yǒu To have everything one could possibly want or need; fully stocked; comprehensive. Nothing that should be there is missing.
用功 yòng gōng Hardworking; diligent; studious. Describes someone who applies sustained effort and serious application to their studies or work.
眼红 yǎn hóng Envious; jealous; covetous. Eyes red with envy or desire upon seeing another's good fortune or possessions. Also literally: red-eyed from...
一目了然 yī mù liǎo rán Clear at a glance; immediately obvious; self-evident. Describes information or a situation that is so clearly presented that its meaning ...
夜市 yè shì Night market. An outdoor market operating in the evening and night hours, selling street food, goods, and entertainment.
摇摇欲坠 yáo yáo yù zhuì Tottering on the verge of collapse; wobbly and about to fall. Describes something (or someone) in an extremely precarious, unstable state...
由此看来 yóu cǐ kàn lái Looking at it from this perspective; judging from this; viewed in this light. A discourse connector that draws an inference or assessment...
原装 yuán zhuāng Original packaging; genuine article as originally packaged by the manufacturer; authentic and factory-sealed, not a counterfeit or repack...
杨树 yáng shù Poplar tree (Populus). A fast-growing deciduous tree with distinctive triangular or ovate leaves that tremble in the wind, widely planted...
养老院 yǎng lǎo yuàn Nursing home; old people's home; care home for the elderly. A residential facility providing accommodation and care for elderly people wh...
一不小心 yī bù xiǎo xīn With a momentary lapse of attention; if one is not careful for a moment. Used to preface an accidental or unintended consequence that res...
犹豫不决 yóu yù bù jué Indecisive; irresolute; unable to make up one's mind. To hesitate and waver without reaching a firm decision.
元宵节 Yuán xiāo Jié The Lantern Festival; the fifteenth day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebra...
咽 yàn To swallow; to gulp down. Refers to the physical act of swallowing food, liquid, or saliva — and figuratively to suppress or hold back (g...
一刹那 yī chà nà An instant; a split second; a momentary flash of time. The briefest possible duration — often used to convey dramatic, fleeting, or emoti...
屹立 yì lì To stand tall and firm; to tower imposingly without yielding. Describes mountains, buildings, statues, or by extension people and institu...
一事无成 yī shì wú chéng To have accomplished nothing; to achieve not a single thing. Describes a situation where all efforts have ended without any meaningful re...
一心一意 yī xīn yī yì Wholeheartedly and single-mindedly; with complete, undivided devotion. Idiom emphasising that both one's heart and will are entirely focu...
洋溢 yáng yì To overflow with; to be filled with; to radiate (a feeling or quality). Describes an emotion, atmosphere, or quality that is so abundant ...
倚 yǐ To lean against; to rest one's body on. Also: to rely on or depend on (someone or something). Can be physical or figurative.
夜班 yè bān Night shift; overnight duty. The working period assigned during nighttime hours, typically from late evening through the early morning.
以身作则 yǐ shēn zuò zé To lead by example; to set an example through one's own conduct. Describes the practice of demonstrating correct behaviour through person...
与日俱增 yǔ rì jù zēng To grow with each passing day; to increase steadily day by day. Describes a continuous, progressive increase over time.
咽喉 yān hóu Throat; pharynx and larynx. The narrow passage at the back of the mouth. Also used metaphorically to describe a critical bottleneck or st...
勇往直前 yǒng wǎng zhí qián To forge ahead courageously; to press forward without hesitation. Describes resolute, unstoppable forward momentum in the face of difficu...
怨言 yuàn yán Words of complaint; expressions of grievance; verbal resentment. The spoken or written articulation of one's sense of being wronged or tr...
引人入胜 yǐn rén rù shèng Captivating; enthralling; so fascinating as to draw one completely in. Describes something that compels deep engagement.
源源不断 yuán yuán bù duàn Continuously flowing without interruption; in a constant, unceasing stream. Describes a steady, unbroken supply or flow of things, people...
蕴涵 yùn hán To imply; to embody; to contain within. To have something significant or complex embedded within, often referring to meaning, logic, or v...
要领 yào lǐng Key method; essential technique; the gist or crux of how to do something correctly.
一回事 yī huí shì One and the same thing; the same matter. Used in contrastive patterns to assert that two things are identical — or, far more commonly, to...
一干二净 yī gān èr jìng Completely; thoroughly; entirely — leaving nothing behind. Used to describe something being eaten, cleaned, cleared, or forgotten in its ...
一应俱全 yī yīng jù quán Everything needed is fully present; nothing is lacking; fully equipped with all required items or services. Describes a situation or plac...
要强 yào qiáng Competitive; striving to excel; unwilling to fall behind or be outdone. Describes a person's strong desire to outperform and never admit ...
与时俱进 yǔ shí jù jìn To keep pace with the times; to advance in step with the era. Describes the capacity and willingness to adapt one's thinking, methods, or...
印刷术 yìn shuā shù The art and technology of printing; printing technique. Specifically refers to the craft of mechanically reproducing text and images.
意料之外 yì liào zhī wài Beyond expectation; unexpected; outside what was anticipated. A fixed four-character phrase used to describe surprising outcomes.
眼色 yǎn sè Eye signal; a meaningful glance; hint conveyed through the eyes. A non-verbal cue or message communicated by one's gaze or facial express...
殷勤 yīn qín Attentive and warm; hospitable; eager to please; assiduous in serving others. Can carry a slightly sycophantic or overly solicitous conno...
一卡通 yī kǎ tōng All-in-one card; multipurpose integrated card. A single card combining several functions — transport, payment, access control, campus ID,...
演播室 yǎn bō shì Broadcasting studio; a specially equipped room or facility from which television or radio programmes are broadcast live or recorded.
怨气 yuàn qì Grievance; resentful feeling; the simmering atmosphere of complaint and discontent. Accumulated sense of being wronged or treated unfairl...
阎王 Yán wáng King Yama; the ruler of the underworld in Chinese folk religion and Buddhism. The judge of the dead who determines punishment and rebirth...
一动不动 yī dòng bù dòng Completely motionless; not moving a muscle. Describes a state of absolute stillness, whether from tension, concentration, exhaustion, or ...
艳丽 yàn lì Gorgeous and vivid; brilliantly colourful and beautiful. Describes striking visual splendour — especially of colours, flowers, attire, or...
游船 yóu chuán Pleasure boat; cruise vessel. A boat used for leisure travel on rivers, lakes, or coastal waters.
悦耳 yuè ěr Pleasing to the ear; melodious. Describes sounds that are pleasant, harmonious, and agreeable to listen to.
夜校 yè xiào Night school; evening school. Educational classes or institutions that operate in the evening hours for working adults or students who ca...
因人而异 yīn rén ér yì To vary from person to person; to differ according to the individual. Used when outcomes, approaches, or responses are not universal but ...
业（服务业） yè industry; profession; trade; business sector (suffix indicating field of work)
遇险 yù xiǎn To encounter danger; to be in peril; to face a life-threatening situation. Unlike 遇难, the person survives or the outcome remains uncertain.
遗愿 yí yuàn A dying wish; the unfulfilled wishes or aspirations left behind by a deceased person.
隐情 yǐn qíng Hidden circumstances; untold story; private matters kept from others. The facts or feelings behind an event that are not publicly known.
硬朗 yìng lang Hale and hearty; robust; in good health and vigorous (usually said of elderly people). Implies physical strength and mental sharpness des...
野营 yě yíng To camp; camping. The activity of staying overnight in a natural outdoor setting using tents or temporary shelter.
溢 yì To overflow; to brim over; to flood out beyond a container's capacity. By extension: to overflow with (emotion, talent, warmth).
一晃 yī huǎng In a flash; in the blink of an eye. Describes the rapid passage of time or a brief, almost imperceptible moment of movement or appearance.
一年到头 yī nián dào tóu All year round; throughout the year; from the beginning to the end of the year. Emphasises continuous, year-long activity or a state that...
一个劲儿 yī gè jìn r Persistently; continuously; without stopping. Describes doing something with unrelenting effort or repetition, often to an excessive or s...
有声有色 yǒu shēng yǒu sè Vivid and lively; dramatic and colorful. Describes a presentation, performance, or account that is full of life, energy, and compelling d...
远近闻名 yuǎn jìn wén míng Famous far and near; renowned throughout a wide area; well-known to people both close and far away.
一言一行 yī yán yī xíng Every word and action; each and every thing one says and does. Emphasises that a person's complete behaviour — both speech and conduct — ...
一概而论 yī gài ér lùn To lump everything together; to make a sweeping generalisation; to treat all cases the same without regard for differences.
焰火 yàn huǒ Fireworks; pyrotechnic displays. Refers to decorative fire effects used in celebrations and public displays, as well as the visual phenom...
野炊 yě chuī Outdoor cooking; to cook a meal in the open wild, typically over a fire or portable stove.
一言不发 yī yán bù fā Not saying a word; without uttering a single syllable; completely silent in terms of speech. Describes a person who remains entirely sile...
易拉罐 yì lā guàn Pull-tab can; ring-pull can. An aluminium beverage can opened by pulling a metal tab.
一长一短 yī cháng yī duǎn Of uneven or inconsistent length; (figuratively) gossiping about or criticising someone's faults and failings; talking about someone behi...
有口无心 yǒu kǒu wú xīn Saying things without really meaning them; speaking without malicious intent. Describes someone who speaks carelessly or bluntly but harb...
一锅粥 yī guō zhōu Literally: a pot of congee/porridge. Figuratively: a complete mess; utter chaos; a confused jumble in which things are hopelessly mixed t...
约定俗成 yuē dìng sú chéng Established by common convention; accepted through habitual social practice over time. Said of names, norms, or customs that have acquire...
一揽子 yī lǎn zi Package; all-inclusive; omnibus. Describes a comprehensive bundle of items, measures, or agreements treated as a single unit rather than ...
秧歌 yāng gē Yangge; a traditional Chinese folk dance performed in a line or group, typically accompanied by drums, gongs, and wind instruments. A fes...
异口同声 yì kǒu tóng shēng Speaking with one voice; saying the same thing unanimously. Describes a situation where different people express the same view or use the...
异想天开 yì xiǎng tiān kāi To have wildly fanciful or unrealistic ideas; to indulge in flights of fancy; to think the impossible.
有两下子 yǒu liǎng xià zi To have some real skill; to be genuinely capable or competent. A colloquial expression indicating that someone has authentic ability or e...
原汁原味 yuán zhī yuán wèi Authentic; in its original form with original flavour preserved; genuine and unadulterated; true to the source without modification or di...
夜以继日 yè yǐ jì rì Day and night without stopping; working around the clock. An idiom describing continuous, tireless effort that does not pause for either ...
衣食住行 yī shí zhù xíng Clothing, food, shelter, and transportation — the four basic necessities of human life, representing the full range of material living co...
一技之长 yī jì zhī cháng A skill or special ability one has mastered; a particular area of expertise. Refers to a practical talent or capability that sets a perso...
依依不舍 yī yī bù shě Reluctant to part; loath to leave. A deep, tender unwillingness to say goodbye to a person or place one is deeply attached to.
一毛不拔 yī máo bù bá Not yielding even a single hair; miserly in the extreme. Idiom condemning a person who refuses to part with even the tiniest amount of mo...
引经据典 yǐn jīng jù diǎn To cite the classics; to quote authoritative texts and historical precedents in support of an argument. A four-character idiom (成语).
一鼓作气 yī gǔ zuò qì To accomplish something in one vigorous effort; to press forward while momentum is high and complete a task without letting resolve falter.
鸦雀无声 yā què wú shēng Dead silence; complete silence; not a sound to be heard. A four-character idiom describing a scene of absolute quiet, typically where a p...
一筹莫展 yī chóu mò zhǎn Completely at a loss; unable to think of a single plan or solution; totally stuck with no way forward. Used when someone is entirely unab...
一声不吭 yī shēng bù kēng Not making a single sound; completely silent without uttering a word. Describes a person who remains entirely silent when speech or a voc...
有的放矢 yǒu dì fàng shǐ To shoot at a target; to act with clear purpose tailored to the specific situation. Describes targeted, purposeful action based on thorou...
愚公移山 yú gōng yí shān The Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountains. A classical idiom describing perseverance and the power of determined, persistent effort to over...
怡然自得 yí rán zì dé Contented and at ease; pleasantly self-satisfied. Describes a state of quiet, cheerful contentment with one's circumstances, free from an...
抑扬顿挫 yì yáng dùn cuò With rising and falling intonation and rhythmic pauses; cadenced; melodious and expressive in speech or reading. Describes a voice or del...