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夷

yí
noun #23,118

Meanings

  1. 1 non-Han peoples (historical term)
  2. 2 barbarian (historically pejorative)
  3. 3 to raze; to level; to wipe out

Examples

古代中国称周边民族为夷。
Gǔdài Zhōngguó chēng zhōubiān mínzú wéi yí.
Ancient China called surrounding peoples 'Yi' (barbarians).
这座城市被夷为平地。
Zhè zuò chéngshì bèi yí wéi píngdì.
The city was razed to the ground.

Tips

register
夷 as a label for non-Han peoples is historically pejorative and reflects classical Chinese sinocentrism. In modern contexts it is used only in historical or literary discussions. As a verb meaning 'to raze/level', it remains in current use and is neutral.
history
In classical texts, the four cardinal barbarians were: 东夷 (Eastern Yi), 西戎 (Western Rong), 南蛮 (Southern Man), and 北狄 (Northern Di). These terms were ethnocentric labels from the Zhou dynasty worldview.

Stroke Order

夷 yí