Meaning of 内衣
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- undergarment
- underwear
Measure word: 件
How to use 内衣
内衣 is the everyday, neutral word for underwear and undershirts, used in shops, laundry, and packing lists. It often appears with 一套 (yí tào, a set) or 一件 (yí jiàn, one piece). Example: 我要买几件内衣。(Wǒ yào mǎi jǐ jiàn nèiyī.) I need to buy some underwear.
内 (nèi) means inside and 衣 (yī) means clothing, so 内衣 is the clothing worn inside, closest to your body. Think of it as the opposite of 大衣 (dàyī), the big coat worn on the very outside.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes write 衣 with the extra stroke of 衤 or confuse it with 农 (nóng, farming), which looks similar but has a different top. Also keep 内 as fourth tone nèi, not third tone něi.
内衣 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.
内 nèi · inside · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
衣 yī · cloth · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 内衣.
| 衣服 | yīfu | clothes |
| 大衣 | dàyī | overcoat; topcoat |
| 洗衣机 | xǐyījī | washing machine; washer |
| 内心 | nèixīn | heart; innermost being; (math.) incenter |
| 内容 | nèiróng | content; substance; details |
| 国内 | guó nèi | domestic; internal (to a country) |
| 上衣 | shàngyī | jacket; upper outer garment |
| 衬衣 | chènyī | shirt |
| 衣架 | yījià | clothes hanger; clothes rack |
| 内部 | nèibù | interior; inside (part, section) |
| 毛衣 | máoyī | (wool) sweater |
| 以内 | yǐnèi | within; less than |
Questions about 内衣
What does 内衣 mean?
内衣 (nèiyī) means "undergarment; underwear" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 内衣?
内衣 is made of 2 characters: 内 (4 strokes), 衣 (6 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 内衣 an HSK word?
Yes. 内衣 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 内衣 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 内衣 is written 內衣.
Is 内衣 the same as 内裤?
Not exactly. 内衣 is the general word for underwear and can include undershirts and bras, while 内裤 (nèikù) means underpants specifically.
Is 内衣 a rude or embarrassing word to say?
No, it is a neutral, polite word. You will see it on store signs like 内衣店 (nèiyī diàn, lingerie or underwear shop) and in washing machine settings.