用意

yòngyì

noun HSK 7 #13,498

Meanings

1 intention
2 purpose
3 motive

Characters

intention; meaning

Literally 'the intended use' — purpose or intention behind an action

Examples

你这样做的用意是什么？

Nǐ zhèyàng zuò de yòngyì shì shénme?

What is your intention in doing this?

我明白了他的用意。

Wǒ míngbai le tā de yòngyì.

I understood his intention.

Tips

usage

用意 focuses on the deeper purpose behind actions. Compare with 目的 (mùdì, 'goal/objective') which is more neutral, while 用意 often implies a hidden or calculated motive.

Stroke Order

用 yòng

意 yì