尹
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: to administer; to govern
💡 A hand holding a brush (⺕) over a person (尸): the official writing decrees.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
尹 (yǐn) originally depicted a hand holding a writing brush, symbolizing administrative authority. It means 'to administer' or 'to govern,' and historically referred to officials in charge of state affairs, such as 令尹 (prime minister) in ancient Chu. The character reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on governance through written records and bureaucracy. Today, it appears in names and classical texts, but is rarely used alone in modern Chinese.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
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