艺 (yì) - art & skill

艺Tone 4

yì ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 艹

一懿

艺 · yì

art;

skill;

craft;

technique;

originally referred to planting and cultivation

artskillcraft

Usage highlights

artartistartistic skillcraftsmangardeningagriculture

Synonyms

  • 术— art, skill, method
  • 技— skill, technique
  • 艺能— artistic ability

Antonyms

  • 拙— clumsy, awkward
  • 笨— stupid, foolish

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She studies fine arts (美术).
  • He has excellent artistic skills (艺术 skill).
  • Traditional Chinese arts (传统艺术) are fascinating.
  • This requires special techniques (技艺).

Collocations

  • art(艺术)
  • artist(艺术家)
  • artistic skill(技艺)
  • craftsman(艺人)
  • gardening(园艺)
  • agriculture(农艺)

Idioms

  • Multi-talented(多才多艺)
  • Outstanding in both literary and military arts(文韬武略，才艺双全)
  • Superior in both virtue and art(德艺双馨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to plant, cultivate' in ancient texts, later extended to mean 'skill, art' through the concept of cultivating talents.
  • In Confucian tradition, the 'six arts' (六艺) included rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.
  • Modern usage emphasizes artistic and technical skills, reflecting cultural value placed on cultivation and refinement.

FAQ