异 yì — different; strange · English

异

yì

different; strange

At a glance · 异

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

繁体「異」甲骨文象人举子（戴面具）之形，本义为分、不同。简体「异」从廾从己。会意。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

本义为不同、奇特。

Structure

会意字，从廾从己，表举异、不同。

At a glance

Pinyinyì

Radical廾

Strokes6

UnicodeU+5F02

Character type会意

Theme状态

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English different; strange Different or unusual.

Français différent; étrange Différent ou insolite.

Español diferente; extraño Diferente o extraño.

العربية مختلف؛ غريب مختلف أو غريب.

Русский разный; странный Разный или необычный.

Common words

异yìdifferent
异常yì chángunusual

◉ Listen