What does 以 mean in Chinese?

以 (yǐ) means "to use; by means of; according to; in order to; because of; at (a certain date or place)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 以?

以 is pronounced "yǐ" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 以?

以 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 5 on the new one.

What words contain the character 以?

Common words with 以 include 不以为然 (not to accept as correct (idiom); to object), 乘以 ((math.) multiplied with), 予以 (to give), 不可以 (may not), 之所以 (the reason why).

How do you write 以?

以 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 人. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

以 (yǐ), to use

以

yǐ

to use; by means of; according to; in order to

HSK 5 Was HSK 4verb4 strokes

Character Breakdown

A person leaning on something — by means of

Radical: 人 (no. 9)Strokes: 4

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to use
by means of
according to
in order to
because of
at (a certain date or place)

Example Sentences

我可以进来吗？

Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma

May I come in?

Words Containing 以

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
不以为然	bù yǐ wéi rán	not to accept as correct (idiom); to object	HSK 7-9
乘以	chéng yǐ	(math.) multiplied with
予以	yǔ yǐ	to give	HSK 7-9
不可以	bù kě yǐ	may not
之所以

Related Words

去(qù)· to go

→

各尽所能(gè jìn suǒ néng)· each does his utmost (idiom)

→

看菜吃饭(kān cài chī fàn)· to eat depending on the dish (idiom); fig. to act according to actual circumstances

→

看菜吃饭，量体裁衣(kān cài chī fàn , liáng tǐ cái yī)· eat depending on the dish, cut cloth according to the body (idiom); to fit the appetite to the dishes and the dress to the figure

→

Grammar Notes

Ability with 会HSK 1

Subject + 会 + Verb + Object

Comparison with 比HSK 2

A 比 B + Adjective (+ Specific Amount)

Because/So (因为...所以)HSK 2

因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

Although (虽然...但是)HSK 2

虽然 + Concession, 但是/可是 + Contrast

Sentence-final 呢HSK 2

Subject + 呢？ OR Statement + 呢

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 7 list

以: HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 5 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 以 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.