How to Write 迤 (yí/yǐ) — Meaning “winding”

Imagine a winding path (辶) that also (也) curves left and right. The shape of 也 looks like a twisting road with a small loop at the end. This visual link helps you recall that 迤 means winding.

Write the left radical 辶 first: dot, horizontal fold, and then a vertical curve. Then add the right part 也 with three strokes: a horizontal hook stroke, a vertical stroke, and a final vertical curve with a hook. A common mistake is making the 也 strokes too large or forgetting the hook at the end.

巡 (xún) has the radical 辶 with three short lines (巛) on the right, meaning to patrol or go around. 达 (dá) has 辶 with 大 (big) on the right, meaning to reach or extend. In contrast, 迤 uses 也 on the right and specifically describes a winding or meandering shape.

迤 is rarely used alone in daily conversation; it appears mainly in literary or descriptive contexts, such as describing winding roads or landscapes. Common words like 逶迤 (winding and meandering) are found in classical poetry and travel writing. It adds a poetic, elegant feel when describing nature.

Common words containing 迤 include: 逶迤 (wēi yí) — winding and meandering; 迤逦 (yǐ lǐ) — winding / meandering; 向北迤 (xiàng běi yí) — to extend northward.