How common it is
意思 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yìsi slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
意思用来表示某件事情的含义或目的。
yìsi lái bǎo shí měi jiàn de yán sì huò qù mù.
意思 is used to indicate the meaning or purpose of something.
Context note
意思常用于日常对话中，解释某件事情的含义或意图。
yìsi cháng yòng yú rì cháng huà huà zhōng, jiě shì mǒu jiàn shì qing de yán sì huò tı́ng.
意思 is commonly used in daily conversations to explain the meaning or intention of something.
5 examples
这是什么意思？
zhè shì shén me yì sī？
What does this mean?
他的意思是同意。
tā de yì sī shì tóng yì。
His meaning is agreement.
这个活动的意思是鼓励大家参与。
zhè ge huó dòng de yì sī shì gǔ lì dà jiā cān yù。
The purpose of this activity is to encourage everyone to participate.
你没听懂我的意思吧？
nǐ méi tīng dǒng wǒ de yì sī ba？
You didn't understand my meaning, right?
这个礼物的意思是感谢。
zhè ge lǐ wù de yì sī shì gǎn xiè。
The meaning of this gift is gratitude.
5 mini stories
妈妈说这是她的意思，因为她喜欢红色。
mā ma shuō zhè shì tā de yì sī， yīn wèi tā xǐ huan hóng sè。
Mom said it was her idea because she likes red.
老师解释了这个单词的意思，帮助我们理解。
lǎo shī jiě shì le zhè ge dān cí de yì sī， bāng zhù wǒ men lǐ jiě。
The teacher explained the meaning of this word to help us understand.
朋友说他来帮忙的意思是想和我一起玩。
péng yǒu shuō tā lái bāng máng de yì sī shì xiǎng hé wǒ yì qǐ wán。
My friend said his intention for coming to help was to play with me together.
哥哥解释了这个笑话的意思，我们才明白笑点在哪里。
gē ge jiě shì le zhè ge xiào huà de yì sī， wǒ men cái míng bái xiào diǎn zài nǎ lǐ。
Brother explained the meaning of this joke, and we finally understood where the funny part is.
姐姐说她买这件衣服的意思是想送给妹妹。
jiě jie shuō tā mǎi zhè jiàn yī fu de yì sī shì xiǎng sòng gěi mèi mei。
Sister said her intention for buying this dress was to give it as a gift to her younger sister.