意思 yìsi meaning
meaning; idea; opinion
How to remember 意思: 意 idea + 思 think = meaning.
Characters
How it is used
- Core sense 'meaning': 这个词是什么意思? (zhège cí shì shénme yìsi?) what does this word mean?
- 有意思 (yǒu yìsi) = interesting/fun; 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) = 'excuse me / embarrassed'.
- 意思 also softens a small gift or gesture: 小意思 (xiǎo yìsi) 'just a token'.
Example sentences
- 这是什么意思？ Zhèshì shénme yìsi?What does it mean?
- 你们明白我的意思了吗？ Nǐmen míngbai wǒ de yìsi le ma?Do you understand what I mean?
- 这个英文句子是什么意思？ Zhège Yīngwén jùzi shì shénme yìsi?What does this English sentence mean?