Common Meanings
1
yǐ以
To use, take, or regard something (like hardship) as another (like joy).
即使生活充满挑战，他也能以苦为乐，积极面对。
Even when life is full of challenges, he can find joy in hardship and face them positively.
To use; by means of; according to (often used to indicate a method or standard).
我们应该以理服人，而不是强词夺理。
We should convince people with reason, rather than resorting to sophistry.
Because of; on account of; based on.
不以貌取人。
Do not judge people by their appearance.
Used to indicate time or date, meaning 'at' or 'on'.
我以明天上午九点在图书馆等你。
I will wait for you at the library at 9 AM tomorrow.
For the purpose of; in order to; with a view to.
我们应该积极准备，以应对未来的挑战。
We should actively prepare to cope with future challenges.
A classical Chinese conjunction, similar to '而' (ér), used to connect clauses, often indicating 'thereby', 'so as to', or 'in order to'.
学习知识的目的是为了学以致用。
The purpose of learning knowledge is to apply what you have learned.
Used before a word of locality to indicate a boundary in time, location, direction, or quantity (e.g., before, within).
请在会议以前准备好报告。
Please prepare the report before the meeting.
Used after a verb, similar to a suffix, indicating 'can' or 'able to'. Often seen in compound words like '可以' (kěyǐ) or '得以' (déyǐ).
经过努力，我们得以完成这项任务。
Through hard work, we were able to complete this task.
Used interchangeably with '已' (yǐ), meaning 'already' or 'ago'. This usage is often found in more formal or classical contexts.
此事以成定局。
This matter is already a foregone conclusion.
To be too much; excessively; very. Often used in rhetorical questions.
难道不以迟乎?
Isn't it too late?
To include, to connect; and; together with. Often used in formal or literary contexts to link subjects or elements, indicating 'along with' or 'and'.
他以其家人一同前往。
He went together with his family.