疑

yí

疋 + 龴 + 𠤕

Definitions

yí (verb) to doubt; to suspect

yí (adjective) suspicious; doubtful

Etymology

Pictograph of a person holding onto a staff, looking to the side with his mouth open, doubtful of which direction to go. The 龰 (foot) component was added later to indicate movement, and the 牛 component was added to hint at the sound.

About

疑 began as a pictograph of a person holding a staff, glancing sideways with mouth open, uncertain of the right path. Later, a foot component (龰) was added to signal movement, and a 牛 element was incorporated to hint at the sound. This scene of a traveler halted at a crossroads, unable to choose a direction, grounds the character's core meaning: the mental states of doubt, suspicion, disbelief, and the inability to trust or settle a question. It serves as the primary term for skepticism and unresolved queries.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

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 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 Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我对他的话表示怀疑。

Wǒ duì tā de huà biǎoshì huáiyí.

I have doubts about what he said.

他总是怀疑我的决定。

Tā zǒng shì huáiyí wǒ de juédìng.

He always questions my decisions.

这个案件有很多疑点。

Zhège ànjiàn yǒu hěn duō yídiǎn.

There are many questionable points in this case.

我毫不怀疑他的能力。

Wǒ háo bù huáiyí tā de nénglì.

I have no doubt about his ability.

她对陌生人充满了疑虑。

Tā duì mòshēngrén chōngmǎnle yílǜ.

She is full of apprehension towards strangers.

科学家对这个理论提出了质疑。

Kēxuéjiā duì zhège lǐlùn tíchūle zhìyí.

Scientists have raised questions about this theory.

他的行为令人起疑。

Tā de xíngwéi lìng rén qǐ yí.

His behavior is suspicious.

证据确凿，无可置疑。

Zhèngjù quèzáo, wú kě zhìyí.

The evidence is conclusive and beyond doubt.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 疋

Component: 龴

Component: 𠤕

Example Words