意义 yìyì sense
sense; meaning; significance; importance
How to remember 意义: 意 idea + 义 right conduct = sense.
Characters
How it is used
- Meaning as significance/value - 这项工作很有意义 (zhè xiàng gōngzuò hěn yǒu yìyì) this work is very meaningful.
- Two shades: the significance/worth of doing something (有意义 = worthwhile), and the meaning of a word/concept (词的意义). Distinguish from 意思 (yìsi, casual 'meaning' of words and also 'intention/interest').
- 人生的意义 (the meaning of life), 有重要意义 (of great significance).
Example sentences
- 这没有任何意义。 Zhè méiyǒu rènhé yìyì.That doesn't make sense.
- 你说的没有意义。 Nǐ shuō de méiyǒu yìyì.What you're saying doesn't make sense.
- 告诉我人生的意义。 Gàosù wǒ rénshēng de yìyì.Tell me the meaning of life.