矣 (yǐ) - Classical Chinese particle indicating completion, finality, or certainty & equivalent to modern 了 or 啦.

矣Tone 3

yǐ ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 矢

一懿

矣 · yǐ

Classical Chinese particle indicating completion, finality, or certainty;

equivalent to modern 了 or 啦.

Classical Chinese particle indicating completion, finality, or certaintyequivalent to modern 了 or 啦.

Usage highlights

enoughtoo lateit is knowncan be donesettledperfected

Synonyms

  • 了— completion particle (modern equivalent)
  • 啦— emphatic particle (modern equivalent)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • It is too late (晚矣).
  • I already know it (吾知之矣).
  • The matter is settled (事定矣).
  • Enough said (可以矣).

Collocations

  • enough(足矣)
  • too late(晚矣)
  • it is known(知之矣)
  • can be done(可矣)
  • settled(定矣)
  • perfected(至矣)

Idioms

  • Regret is too late(悔之晚矣)
  • It is enough(足矣)
  • Perfection has been reached(至矣尽矣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • A classical Chinese particle common in pre-Qin texts like the Analects and Mencius.
  • Often used in philosophical and historical texts to mark completion or conclusion.
  • In modern usage, it appears mainly in set phrases and literary contexts.

FAQ