意思 (yìsi) — meaning; idea

意思 (yìsi)

意思 is an extremely common word used to ask about or explain what something means, or what someone intends.

Meanings

1. [noun] meaning; sense (of a word or expression)
2. [noun] idea; intention; what someone means
3. [adjective] interesting (有意思 yǒu yìsi)

Example Sentences

这个词是什么意思？ Zhège cí shì shénme yìsi? What is the meaning of this word?

你的意思是说我错了吗？ Nǐ de yìsi shì shuō wǒ cuò le ma? Do you mean to say that I was wrong?

这部电影很有意思。 Zhè bù diànyǐng hěn yǒu yìsi. This movie is very interesting.

他那句话什么意思，我没听懂。 Tā nà jù huà shénme yìsi, wǒ méi tīng dǒng. I did not understand what he meant by that sentence.

Collocations

Memory Hook

意 means "mind/intent" and 思 means "thought" — the 意思 is the thought in someone's mind, the meaning they intend.