異 (yì) - Different & strange

異Tone 4

yì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

異 · yì

Different;

strange;

unusual;

to distinguish;

to separate;

other;

foreign.

Differentstrangeunusual

Usage highlights

DifferentAbnormalStrangeForeign landDifferent opinionExtraordinary talent

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 同— same; identical
  • 常— normal; ordinary

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They have different opinions (意见相异).
  • This is an unusual phenomenon (异常现象).
  • We need to distinguish between right and wrong (异同).
  • He has lived abroad for many years (异国他乡).

Collocations

  • Different(不同)
  • Abnormal(异常)
  • Strange(奇异)
  • Foreign land(异国)
  • Different opinion(异议)
  • Extraordinary talent(异才)

Idioms

  • Seeing strange things without surprise(见怪不怪)
  • Different paths lead to the same goal(异曲同工)
  • Amazing work with exquisite skill(异巧天工)
  • Extraordinary ambition(异志)
  • Different dreams in the same bed(同床异梦)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese thought, '异' often carries connotations of deviation from the norm, sometimes with negative implications.
  • The character appears in Buddhist terms referring to 'other shores' or transcendent states.
  • Historically used in contexts involving foreign peoples or cultures, often with a sense of otherness.

FAQ