衣

yī, yì

亠 + 𧘇

Definitions

yī (noun) clothes; clothing

Etymology

Pictograph of a shirt or coat.

About

衣 is an ancient pictograph depicting a shirt or coat. It is a fundamental radical and an independent character, not built from smaller components. The strokes represent a traditional upper garment: a folded collar at the top, sleeves in the middle, and loose robes flowing below. It carries the general meaning of clothing and frequently serves as a radical in characters associated with textiles, tailoring, and bodily coverings.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

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

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢这件衣服。

Wǒ xǐhuān zhè jiàn yīfu.

I like this piece of clothing.

她每天换衣服。

Tā měitiān huàn yīfu.

She changes clothes every day.

妈妈在洗衣服。

Māmā zài xǐ yīfu.

Mom is washing clothes.

衣柜里有很多衣服。

Yīguì lǐ yǒu hěnduō yīfu.

There are many clothes in the wardrobe.

这件衣服的颜色很漂亮。

Zhè jiàn yīfu de yánsè hěn piàoliang.

The color of this piece of clothing is very beautiful.

他因为天气冷而多穿了一件衣服。

Tā yīnwèi tiānqì lěng ér duō chuān le yī jiàn yīfu.

He wore an extra piece of clothing because the weather was cold.

旅行时，轻便的衣物很重要。

Lǚxíng shí, qīngbiàn de yīwù hěn zhòngyào.

When traveling, lightweight clothing is important.

这家商店专门销售高档衣饰。

Zhè jiā shāngdiàn zhuānmén xiāoshòu gāodàng yīshì.

This store specializes in selling high-end clothing and accessories.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 亠

Component: 𧘇

Example Words