贻 (yí) - To present, to give as a gift & to bequeath

贻Tone 2

yí ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

贻 · yí

To present, to give as a gift;

to bequeath;

to leave behind;

to cause, to bring about.

To present, to give as a giftto bequeathto leave behind

Usage highlights

Present a giftLeave behind troubleBecome a laughingstockLeave behind a legacyBequeath a planCause regret

Synonyms

  • 赠— to give as a gift
  • 遗— to leave behind, to bequeath
  • 留— to leave, to remain

Antonyms

  • 取— to take, to receive
  • 收— to receive, to accept

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He presented a gift to his teacher (贻赠礼物).
  • This decision will have consequences (贻害无穷).
  • She left behind a valuable legacy (贻留遗产).
  • His words caused laughter among the audience (贻笑大方).

Collocations

  • Present a gift(贻赠)
  • Leave behind trouble(贻害)
  • Become a laughingstock(贻笑)
  • Leave behind a legacy(贻留)
  • Bequeath a plan(贻谋)
  • Cause regret(贻悔)

Idioms

  • Become a laughingstock to the experts(贻笑大方)
  • Cause endless trouble(贻害无穷)
  • Leave behind a laughingstock for ten thousand generations(贻笑万世)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese culture, '贻' often appears in contexts of gift-giving and inheritance, reflecting the importance of legacy and proper conduct.
  • The character is frequently used in cautionary phrases about the consequences of one's actions, particularly in historical and literary texts.
  • It carries connotations of both positive bequests (wisdom, treasures) and negative consequences (trouble, shame).

FAQ