义 Stroke Order — How to Write 义
义 is written in 3 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 丿, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
义 Radical and Character Components
义 is a phono-semantic compound: ⺷ (sheep; simplified form of 義) carries the meaning, while 乂 indicates the sound.
Radical: 丿 + 2 more strokes
义 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- yì
Meanings of 义 in Chinese
1
yì义
Righteousness; justice; moral principle; a righteous or just act. Often implies a strong sense of moral obligation or public spiritedness, as in defending justice or fulfilling a duty.
面对不公，他总是仗义执言，为弱者争取正义
When faced with injustice, he always speaks out for what is right, fighting for justice for the vulnerable.
Righteousness or public good; pertaining to justice, duty, or charity.
我们应该鼓励大家见义勇为，帮助有需要的人。
We should encourage everyone to act courageously for justice, helping those in need.
Refers to a strong sense of loyalty, righteousness, friendship, or moral obligation to others, often seen in contexts like 'loyalty/chivalry' (义气), 'kindness and obligation' (恩义), or 'obligation as weighty as a mountain' (义重如山).
他这个人很有义气，朋友有难时他一定会伸出援手。
He is a very loyal person; when his friends are in trouble, he will definitely lend a helping hand.
Meaning; significance; the content or implications perceived by people about things.
他提出的建议很有意义。
The suggestion he put forward is very meaningful.
Used to indicate a relationship that is not biological but is treated as such, for example, a sworn father or godparent.
他认张大爷为义父。
He acknowledged Uncle Zhang as his godfather.
Artificial (referring to parts of the human body)
爷爷装了义齿，吃饭方便多了
Grandpa got dentures, and eating is much more convenient now.
Common Words and Phrases with 义
1
To be honor-bound and unable to decline.
照顾年迈的父母，是每个子女义不容辞的责任。
Taking care of elderly parents is an undeniable duty for every child.
2
A public granary established in ancient times to store grain for famine relief.
在灾荒之年，义仓的粮食挽救了许多村民的生命。
During years of scarcity, the grain from the public granary saved the lives of many villagers.
3
a false tooth or a set of false teeth, also known as dentures.
奶奶的义齿需要定期清洁，以保持口腔卫生。
Grandma's dentures need regular cleaning to maintain oral hygiene.
4
A public cemetery for the poor, especially in old times.
在那个贫困的年代，城郊的义地是许多无依无靠之人最后的归宿。
In those impoverished times, the public burial ground on the city's outskirts served as the final resting place for many destitute and unbefriended individuals.
5
Righteous indignation; anger aroused by injustice.
看到弱者被欺凌，他心中不禁升起一股义愤。
Seeing the weak being bullied, a surge of righteous indignation inevitably rose within him.
6
to be filled with righteous indignation
看到小贩被无理欺压，在场的顾客都义愤填膺。
Seeing the vendor being unreasonably bullied, all the customers present were filled with righteous indignation.
7
A chivalrous or righteous person; someone who values loyalty and justice.
他是个真正的义夫，总是在朋友最需要的时候伸出援手。
He is a true man of honor and loyalty, always extending a helping hand when his friends need it most.
8
A magnanimous act undertaken for the public good.
为了保护濒危物种，这位科学家倾尽毕生精力，他的行动被视为一项伟大的义举。
To protect endangered species, this scientist dedicated his entire life; his actions are considered a great noble deed.
9
A complimentary term for someone else's son.
李先生，您的义郎真是英俊潇洒，一表人才。
Mr. Li, your esteemed son is truly handsome and talented, an impressive figure.
10
the meaning, argument, or viewpoint in speech or writing
这篇文章的义理深刻，引人深思
The profound intellectual content of this essay prompts deep reflection.
11
A sale of goods for charity or public welfare purposes; a charity sale.
学校每年都会举办一次义卖活动，将筹得的善款用于改善图书馆设施。
The school holds a charity sale every year, and the funds raised are used to improve library facilities.
12
A banner symbolizing righteousness, typically carried by a righteous army, or by extension, referring to the army itself.
为了守护自己的家园，村民们勇敢地举起了义旗
To protect their homes, the villagers bravely raised the banner of a righteous cause.
13
Personal loyalty, especially among friends, often involving courage and self-sacrifice.
他为了朋友，很有义气地承担了责任。
For the sake of his friend, he very loyally took on the responsibility.
14
a righteous army; an army fighting a just war
他们集结成一支义师，旨在推翻邪恶领主的统治，解救受苦的百姓。
They formed a righteous army, aiming to overthrow the rule of the evil lord and rescue the suffering populace.
15
A righteous and high-minded person who upholds justice.
他始终坚持自己的信仰，为社区做了许多好事，人们都称他为义士。
He always adhered to his beliefs, doing many good deeds for the community, and people referred to him as a righteous person.
More words with 义
- ào奥yì义profound meaning or esoteric truth
- bāo褒yì义Commendatory sense, Positive connotation
- biǎn贬yì义derogatory meaning or connotation
- shì释yì义Definition, Explanation
- zhōng忠yì义Loyalty and Righteousness, Fidelity and Integrity
- ēn恩yì义Kindness and righteousness, Gratitude and obligation
- xiá狭yì义narrow sense; strict sense
- bāo褒yì义cí词commendatory term, eulogistic term
- biǎn贬yì义cí词pejorative, derogatory term
- hán涵yì义Meaning, Connotation
- rén仁yì义benevolence and righteousness, humanity and justice
- xiá侠yì义Chivalry, Knight-errantry
- zhàng仗yì义righteous, chivalrous
- ài爱guó国zhǔ主yì义patriotism
- dì帝guó国zhǔ主yì义imperialism
- shè社huì会zhǔ主yì义socialism
- suí绥jìng靖zhǔ主yì义appeasement
- zī资běn本zhǔ主yì义capitalism
- yì义wù务duty, obligation
- hán含yì义meaning, implication
Idioms with 义
- yì义bó薄yún云tiān天supreme righteousness reaching to the heavens
- yì义jié结jīn金lán兰become sworn brothers or sisters
- yì义qì气xiāng相tóu投kindred spirits
- yì义wú无fǎn反gù顾advance courageously without hesitation
- yì义xíng形yú于sè色righteous indignation on one's face
- yì义zhèng正cí词yán严speak righteously and sternly
- yì义zhèng正cí辞yán严speak righteously and sternly
- bó薄qíng情wú无yì义heartless and disloyal
- bǎo保shǒu守zhǔ主yì义adherence to traditional views and values
- bēi悲guān观zhǔ主yì义pessimistic outlook on life
- bèi背ēn恩qì弃yì义betray kindness and abandon loyalty
- bèi背xìn信qì弃yì义betray trust and abandon righteousness
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Open the tool →Questions about 义
What does 义 mean in Chinese?
义 (yì) means “Righteousness” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 义?
义 is pronounced yì in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 义 have?
义 has 3 strokes.
How do you write 义?
义 is written in 3 strokes, starting from the radical 丿. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 义?
The radical of 义 is 丿, and 义 is a phono-semantic compound.