遺 (yí) - To leave behind & to bequeath

遺Tone 2

yí ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

遺 · yí

To leave behind;

to bequeath;

to lose;

to omit;

to abandon;

also refers to something handed down from the past.

To leave behindto bequeathto lose

Usage highlights

LegacyRelicRuinsWillGeneticLost property

Synonyms

  • 留— to leave
  • 传— to pass on
  • 失— to lose

Antonyms

  • 得— to gain
  • 获— to obtain
  • 拾— to pick up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He left behind a large inheritance (遗产).
  • The ancient ruins are a legacy (遗迹) of a lost civilization.
  • Don't forget your belongings (不要遗落物品).
  • This is a hereditary disease (遗传病).

Collocations

  • Legacy(遗产)
  • Relic(遗物)
  • Ruins(遗迹)
  • Will(遗嘱)
  • Genetic(遗传)
  • Lost property(遗失物)

Idioms

  • To pick up what others have left behind(拾遗补阙)
  • To die without regret(死而无遗)
  • To leave a stink for ten thousand years(遗臭万年)
  • An old custom left over(遗风余俗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Inheritance and legacy are central concepts in Chinese culture, where ancestors are revered.
  • The character appears in terms related to archaeology and history, reflecting the value placed on the past.
  • In a negative sense, it can imply neglect or abandonment, carrying a moral weight.

FAQ