懿

yì

壹 + 恣

Definitions

yì (literary) exemplary; virtuous

Etymology phono-semantic

heart

Semantic: 心 Phonetic: 壹

About

懿 (yì) is an adjective meaning virtuous or admirable, historically used to describe the moral excellence of women, especially empresses and royal consorts in imperial edicts. The character combines the heart semantic 心 (xīn), indicating an inner moral disposition, with the component 壹 (yī), which serves as a phonetic and adds the sense of unity or single-mindedness. Some etymological analyses trace the right side to a reduced form of 恣 (zì), suggesting a deliberate focus of one's desires toward goodness. Its core sense of profound moral beauty and virtuous conduct later broadened slightly to function as a complimentary prefix for attributes linked to revered female figures, such as their decrees or virtues.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她具有美好的懿德。

Tā jùyǒu měihǎo de yìdé.

She possesses beautiful virtue.

他的懿行值得学习。

Tā de yìxíng zhídé xuéxí.

His admirable conduct is worth learning.

这位老师懿范永存。

Zhè wèi lǎoshī yìfàn yǒng cún.

This teacher's exemplary model will last forever.

皇后颁布了一道懿旨。

Huánghòu bānbù le yī dào yìzhǐ.

The empress issued an imperial decree.

他的懿德和智慧深受尊敬。

Tā de yìdé hé zhìhuì shēn shòu zūnjìng.

His virtue and wisdom are deeply respected.

在历史上，许多懿行被记载下来。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō yìxíng bèi jìzǎi xiàlái.

In history, many admirable conducts were recorded.

司马懿是三国时期的政治家。

Sīmǎ Yì shì Sānguó shíqī de zhèngzhìjiā.

Sima Yi was a politician during the Three Kingdoms period.

她的懿德不仅影响了家人，还感动了社区。

Tā de yìdé bùjǐn yǐngxiǎng le jiārén, hái gǎndòng le shèqū.

Her virtue not only influenced her family but also touched the community.

Related Characters

Component: 壹

懿