How to Write 彞 (yí) — Meaning “Yi (variant of 彝)”

Imagine the Yi people holding a feast: the top 彐 looks like a nose sniffing, the 糸 is silk decorations, the 米 is rice, and 廾 are hands offering them. Picture this as "Yi group’s special ceremony" to connect the shape to the meaning.

Start with top 彐 (3 strokes: horizontal, horizontal, vertical). Then write 糸 (6 strokes), then 米 (6 strokes), and finally 廾 (4 strokes). A common mistake is confusing the order of 糸 and 米 or writing the bottom 廾 with incorrect hand shapes.

彞 is a variant of 彝; they have the same meaning, but 彝 uses 彑 (a hooked top) while 彞 uses 彐 (flat top). 彟 (huò) is a different character meaning "measure" and has a different lower part (寸 and 冖). Always check the top radical to tell them apart.

This character appears in traditional Chinese texts and names like 彞族 (Yi ethnic group) or 彞语 (Yi language). In simplified modern Chinese, 彝 is more common, but 彞 is still found in historical writings and cultural references, especially about the Yi people’s traditions.

Common words containing 彞 include: 彞族 (yí zú) — Yi ethnic group (Traditional); 彞语 (yí yǔ) — Yi language (Traditional); 彞剧 (yí jù) — Yi opera (Traditional).