阴 Stroke Order — How to Write 阴
阴 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 阝, 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.
阴 Radical and Character Components
阴 is an ideographic compound. The place 阝 of the moon 月; compare 阳.
Radical: 阝 + 4 more strokes
阴 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- yīn
Meanings of 阴 in Chinese
1
yīn阴
In ancient Chinese philosophy, "Yin" refers to one of the two opposing yet complementary cosmic forces that permeate all things in the universe, contrasted with "Yang". It represents aspects like darkness, femininity, coldness, and passivity, as seen in concepts like "Yin and Yang" (阴阳) or "Yin-yang error" (阴差阳错).
“阴阳”学说强调万事万物皆有对立统一的两面。
The "Yin and Yang" theory emphasizes that all things have two opposing yet unified aspects.
Refers to the moon or things related to the lunar calendar, as in '阴历' (lunar calendar).
我们家过年都是按照阴历来算的。
My family always celebrates New Year according to the lunar calendar.
Refers to being negatively charged, particularly used in terms like 'cathode' (阴极) in scientific contexts.
二极管的阴极通常连接到电路的负极。
The cathode of a diode is usually connected to the negative terminal of the circuit.
Referring to weather conditions where thick clouds block the sunlight, leading to dimness, overcast skies, or gloomy, melancholy feelings.
连续几天的阴雨天气让人感到有些阴郁。
Several consecutive days of overcast and rainy weather make people feel a bit gloomy.
Referring to a place or side not exposed to direct sunlight, or something that is done away from direct sunlight.
把衣服放在阴凉处阴干，可以防止褪色
Put the clothes in a shady and cool place to air-dry, which can prevent fading.
Referring to things that are hidden, secret, or done in the dark, not exposed to the surface.
他常常做些不留名的阴功，帮助了许多人。
He often performs good deeds in secret without seeking recognition, helping many people.
Sinister, treacherous; involving secret plotting or malice.
他策划了一个阴谋，企图陷害同事。
He concocted a sinister plot, attempting to frame his colleague.
Refers to the underworld or netherworld, the realm of the dead.
传说，人死后灵魂会进入阴间
Legend has it that after people die, their souls enter the underworld.
Incised; concave; referring to characters or designs cut into a surface.
这块石碑上刻着阴文，字体清晰。
This stele is carved with incised characters, and the font is clear.
Refers to time, indicating a period or duration, often used in expressions like 'guāngyīn' (time) or 'xī cùnyīn' (cherish every moment).
我们要珍惜光阴，努力学习。
We should cherish time and study hard.
Refers to genitalia or private parts (e.g., pudendum, vagina, penis, scrotum).
保持阴部清洁对于个人健康很重要。
Maintaining hygiene of the genital area is very important for personal health.
Common Words and Phrases with 阴
1
dark; gloomy; lacking light
这个房间因为窗户太小而显得有些阴暗。
This room appears a bit gloomy because the windows are too small.
2
The dark side of things; the negative or hidden aspects of society, morality, or life.
这部电影深刻地揭示了人性的阴暗面，引人深思
This film profoundly reveals the darker side of human nature, prompting deep reflection.
3
private parts or external genitalia
保持个人卫生对于阴部健康至关重要。
Maintaining personal hygiene is crucial for genital health.
4
the netherworld; the underworld (in superstition, where the dead reside)
据说，人死后灵魂会前往阴曹地府，接受审判。
It is said that after death, souls go to the underworld to face judgment.
5
Gloomy; overcast; sullen; sombre.
今天的天气很阴沉，看来要下雨了。
The weather today is very gloomy; it looks like it's going to rain.
6
An unexpected outcome due to a strange combination of circumstances.
他们原本只是想去小镇上散散心，却阴错阳差地发现了一座被遗忘的古老图书馆。
They originally just wanted to take a leisurely walk in the small town, but by a strange coincidence, they stumbled upon a forgotten ancient library.
7
The muscular tube in female mammals connecting the uterus to the external genitals, serving as the passage for sexual intercourse, menstruation, and childbirth.
在哺乳动物的生殖系统中，阴道是连接子宫与体外的通道
In the reproductive system of mammals, the vagina is the canal connecting the uterus to the outside of the body.
8
Good deeds done in secret that are believed to accumulate merit for one's future or afterlife.
他常年默默帮助贫困学生，从不张扬，真是积攒阴德的好榜样。
He has silently helped impoverished students for many years, never seeking recognition; he is truly a good example of accumulating secret merits.
9
The clitoris is a small, sensitive erectile organ in the female external genitalia, homologous to the male penis.
阴蒂是女性生殖器官中一个非常敏感的部分。
The clitoris is a very sensitive part of the female reproductive organs.
10
negative electricity
在物理实验中，我们观察到橡胶棒摩擦后带上了阴电。
In physics experiments, we observed that the rubber rod acquired a negative charge after friction.
11
insidious and malicious
那个小人使出阴毒的手段，陷害无辜
That scoundrel resorted to insidious and vicious tactics to frame innocent people.
12
An ill or evil wind, often implying something sinister; a cold wind.
夜幕降临，山谷中刮起一阵阴风，让人不寒而栗。
As night fell, an eerie wind swept through the valley, sending shivers down one's spine.
13
Secret merits or good deeds done in secret, often believed to accumulate spiritual credit or good fortune.
他常默默地帮助社区里的弱势群体，积累了许多阴功。
He often silently helps vulnerable groups in the community, accumulating many unseen merits.
14
Dark and gloomy; overcast and dim.
天空阴晦，低垂的云层遮蔽了阳光。
The sky was gloomy and dim, with low-hanging clouds obscuring the sunlight.
More words with 阴
- yīn阴liáng凉shade, cool and shady
- guāng光yīn阴time, years
- yīn阴gān干shade dry, dry in the shade
- yīn阴jí极cathode
- yīn阴jiān间Underworld, Hell
- yīn阴lì历lunar calendar, Chinese calendar
- yīn阴mái霾haze, gloom
- yīn阴móu谋conspiracy, plot
- yīn阴sēn森gloomy, eerie
- yīn阴tiān天cloudy day, overcast day
- yīn阴wén文intaglio, incised characters
- yīn阴xiǎn险insidious, treacherous
- yīn阴xìng性negative, feminine
- yīn阴yáng阳yin and yang, Yin-Yang
- yīn阴yǐng影shadow, gloom
- yīn阴yǔ雨overcast and rainy, gloomy and rainy
- yīn阴yù郁gloomy, melancholy
- cùn寸yīn阴a brief moment, a fleeting moment
- yīn阴yǔ雨tiān天Cloudy and rainy day, Overcast and rainy day
- yīn阴liáng凉chù处shade, shady spot
Idioms with 阴
- yīn阴cáo曹dì地fǔ府the underworld where the dead reside
- yīn阴chā差yáng阳cuò错unforeseen outcome due to a twist of fate
- yīn阴hún魂bù不sàn散a lingering negative influence
- yīn阴móu谋bù不guǐ轨plot unlawful activities
- yīn阴móu谋guǐ诡jì计sinister plots and cunning schemes
- yīn阴xiǎn险dǎi歹dú毒insidious and vicious
- yīn阴yáng阳guài怪qì气sarcastic, cynical, or peculiar attitude
- yīn阴yáng阳liǎng两miàn面to be two-faced
- yīn阴yáng阳zhī之biàn变natural cycles and transformations
- yīn阴yún云mì密bù布ominous clouds gathering
- bù不yīn阴bù不yáng阳ambiguous or noncommittal attitude
- zhāo朝huī晖xī夕yīn阴morning glow and evening shade
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Open the tool →Questions about 阴
What does 阴 mean in Chinese?
阴 (yīn) means “In ancient Chinese philosophy” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 阴?
阴 is pronounced yīn in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 阴 have?
阴 has 7 strokes.
How do you write 阴?
阴 is written in 7 strokes, starting from the radical 阝. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 阴?
The radical of 阴 is 阝, and 阴 is an ideographic compound.
