...的意思
Reach for this when you need to define a word or explain what something means — 'the meaning of X' or 'X means…'. It's the standard explainer phrase: put the word or phrase before 的意思, then state the definition. Teachers, podcasters, and anyone glossing vocabulary in conversation use this constantly. Works equally well for individual words, expressions, gestures, and situations.
Structure
[WORD/PHRASE] 的意思 [是 / 就是] [DEFINITION]
...de yìsi
How to Think About It
的意思 turns whatever sits in front of it into a topic for definition — it literally packages the word as 'the meaning of X.' The natural follow-up is 就是 ('is exactly') or 是 ('is'). Without 就是/是 you've only named the topic, not given the definition. The whole pattern works because Chinese loves to topicalize first, then explain.
Examples
便宜的意思就是不贵。
Piányi de yìsi jiùshì bú guì.
"Piányi" means "not expensive."
这个字的意思是"快"。
Zhège zì de yìsi shì "kuài".
This character means "fast."
他点头的意思是同意。
Tā diǎntóu de yìsi shì tóngyì.
His nodding means he agrees.
Common Mistake
Learners reverse the order, putting 的意思 in front of the word as if it were English 'the meaning of X.' In Chinese the word comes first, then 的意思. Also: forgetting 是/就是 leaves the explanation hanging.
的意思出口就是把东西卖到外国。
出口的意思就是把东西卖到外国。
Don't Confuse With
...叫...
X 叫 Y = 'X is called Y' — names a thing. X 的意思是 Y = 'X means Y' — defines a thing. Use 叫 to introduce a name, 的意思 to explain a meaning.
...指的是...
X 指的是 Y = 'X refers to Y' — slightly more formal, used when X is a term that points to a specific referent (often in essays or technical contexts). 的意思 is more conversational.
也就是说
也就是说 = 'in other words' — restates a whole sentence. 的意思 defines a specific word. Don't use 的意思 when you're paraphrasing a full statement.
Practice
出口 ___ 就是把东西卖到别的国家去。
Show answer
的意思
厉害就是特别好、特别多 ___。
Show answer
的意思
Arrange: 的意思 / 是 / 很多 / 这个词 / 朋友
Show answer
这个词的意思是很多朋友。
"Máng" means "busy."
Show answer
忙的意思就是没时间。
Explain the meaning of a Chinese word you recently learned, using 的意思.
Show answer
"加油"的意思就是鼓励别人努力。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear ...的意思 in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.