繄 (yī) - A classical Chinese particle used to express emphasis & an exclamatory or emphatic particle

繄Tone 1

yī ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

繄 · yī

A classical Chinese particle used to express emphasis or affirmation;

an exclamatory or emphatic particle;

also used in ancient texts to mean 'only', 'alone', or 'is'.

A classical Chinese particle used to express emphasisan exclamatory or emphatic particlealso used in ancient texts to mean 'only',

Usage highlights

Emphatic particleIs preciselyOnly thenAloneThis reasonThe responsibility lies with

Synonyms

  • 唯— only; alone (similar emphatic function)
  • 独— alone; solely
  • 乃— then; thereupon; is (similar emphatic usage)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • It is precisely this (繄为此也).
  • Only the virtuous can be relied upon (繄独德是依).
  • This is the reason (繄是故也).
  • The responsibility lies with you alone (繄尔是任).

Collocations

  • Emphatic particle(繄)
  • Is precisely(繄为)
  • Only then(繄乃)
  • Alone(繄独)
  • This reason(繄是故)
  • The responsibility lies with(繄是任)

Idioms

  • It is precisely this matter(繄为此事)
  • Only the virtuous are relied upon(繄德是依)
  • The responsibility lies with you alone(繄尔是任)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily found in classical Chinese texts, especially in pre-Qin and Han dynasty literature.
  • Used as a function word to add emphasis or affirmation in formal, literary contexts.
  • Rare in modern vernacular Chinese, preserved mainly in classical studies and historical texts.

FAQ