Meaning of 以内
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- within
- less than
How to use 以内
以内 comes after a number, time, or distance to show a limit that is not exceeded. It often appears in instructions, rules, and deadlines. Example: 请在三天以内回复。(Qǐng zài sān tiān yǐnèi huífù.) Please reply within three days.
以 (yǐ) marks a reference point and 内 (nèi) means inside. Together 以内 means staying inside a limit, like a box drawn around a number.
Common mistake: Learners often put 以内 before the number, as in English "within three days". In Chinese the order is reversed: say 三天以内 (sān tiān yǐnèi), not 以内三天.
以内 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
以 yǐ · to use · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
内 nèi · inside · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 以内.
| 可以 | kěyǐ | can; may |
| 所以 | suǒyǐ | therefore; as a result |
| 以为 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless refe |
| 以前 | yǐqián | before; formerly |
| 以后 | yǐhòu | after; later |
| 以上 | yǐshàng | that level or higher; that amount or more; the above-mentioned |
| 以外 | yǐwài | apart from; other than |
| 以下 | yǐxià | that level or lower; that amount or less |
| 以来 | yǐlái | since (used after a specified time or event) |
| 内心 | nèixīn | heart; innermost being; (math.) incenter |
| 内容 | nèiróng | content; substance; details |
| 国内 | guó nèi | domestic; internal (to a country) |
Questions about 以内
What does 以内 mean?
以内 (yǐnèi) means "within; less than" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 以内?
以内 is made of 2 characters: 以 (4 strokes), 内 (4 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 以内 an HSK word?
Yes. 以内 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 以内 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 以内 is written 以內.
Does 以内 include the number itself?
Usually yes. 一百元以内 (yìbǎi yuán yǐnèi) normally means 100 yuan or less. In strict legal or technical texts, check the context or any definitions given.
What is the difference between 以内 and 之内?
They mean almost the same thing and are often interchangeable, as in 一个月以内 and 一个月之内. 之内 sounds a little more formal or written, and it is also common with places, like 校园之内 (inside the campus).