夷

夷 (Kangxi radical 37, 大+3, 6 strokes, cangjie input 大弓 (KN) or 難大弓 (XKN), four-corner 5003₂, composition ⿻大弓)

• 𰃼, 姨, 咦, 胰, 蛦, 桋, 跠, 鮧, 侇, 峓, 恞, 痍, 洟, 羠, 鴺, 荑, 𢓡

• Kangxi Dictionary: page 249, character 15
• Dai Kanwa Jiten: character 5852
• Dae Jaweon: page 509, character 7
• Hanyu Da Zidian (first edition): volume 1, page 527, character 5
• Unihan data for U+5937

Originally ideogrammic compound (會意 / 会意): 矢 (“arrow”) + 弓 (“rope”); the original meaning was "to shoot" (arrows) according to Chen Bingxin (陳秉新). Later forms ideogrammic compound (會意 / 会意): 大 (“person; big”) + 弓 (“bow”).

According to Yuè Juè Shū (越絕書), 夷 (OC *lil) is also the Yue word for "sea" (1). Therefore, Schuessler (2007) proposes an Austroasiatic origin; compare Proto-Mon-Khmer *d(n)liʔ (“large river, sea”) (whence Khmer ទន្លេ (tŭənlei, “large river”) and Kuy [script needed] (thlèː, “sea”)). Meanwhile, Schuessler associates similar Hmong forms like Chuanqiandian Cluster Miao tl̥e (“river”) (< Proto-Hmong-Mien *gle) to *溪 (OC *kʰeː) "creek, rivulet, rill" instead.

In contrast, Ferlus (2009) reconstructs 夷's Old Chinese pronunciation as [lɨ] and connects 夷 to Proto-Kra-Dai *k-ri: (“Kra-Dai endonym”) (whence Thai ไท (tai, “"Tai endonym"”) and Hlai Hlai (“"Hlai endonym"”)). However, Ferlus concedes that such a derivation of 夷 from *k-ri: "remains speculative, [...] not as firmly established as for Hlai and Tai/Thai".

夷

1. ancient tribes in China

   東夷／东夷  ―  dōngyí  ―  Eastern Yi; Eastern Barbarians

   南夷  ―  nányí  ―  Southern Yi

   淮夷  ―  huáiyí  ―  Huai Yi

   九夷  ―  jiǔyí  ―  the Nine Yi tribes

   • 夷有九種：曰畎夷、于夷、方夷、黃夷、白夷、赤夷、玄夷、風夷、陽夷。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     夷有九种：曰畎夷、于夷、方夷、黄夷、白夷、赤夷、玄夷、风夷、阳夷。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5^th century CE

     Yí yǒu jiǔ zhǒng: yuē quǎnyí, yúyí, fāngyí, huángyí, báiyí, chìyí, xuányí, fēngyí, yángyí. [Pinyin]

     The Yi have nine kinds: Quanyi, Yuyi, Fangyi, Huangyi, Baiyi, Chiyi, Xuanyi, Fengyi, and Yangyi.

2. (derogatory) barbarian; foreigners; non-Han people

   蠻夷／蛮夷  ―  mányí  ―  barbarians

   師夷長技以制夷／师夷长技以制夷 [Classical Chinese]  ―  shī yí cháng jì yǐ zhì yí [Pinyin]  ―  Learn barbarian skills to subdue barbarians.

3. (as verb) to treat as barbarian; to consider as Yi

   • 諸侯用夷禮則夷之，進於中國則中國之。 [MSC, trad.]
     诸侯用夷礼则夷之，进于中国则中国之。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 韓愈 (Han Yu), 《原道》

     Zhūhóu yòng yí lǐ zé yí zhī, jìn yú zhōngguó zé zhōngguó zhī. [Pinyin]

     When feudal lords adopt Yi rituals, [we] treat them as Yi; when they advance to [the ways of] the Central States, [we] treat them as Central States.

4. flat; level; smooth; plain

   履險如夷／履险如夷  ―  lǚxiǎnrúyí  ―  to tread danger as if it were level ground

   • 夫夷以近，則游者眾；險以遠，則至者少。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     夫夷以近，则游者众；险以远，则至者少。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: 王安石 (Wang Anshi), 《遊褒禪山記》

     Fū yí yǐ jìn, zé yóu zhě zhòng; xiǎn yǐ yuǎn, zé zhì zhě shào. [Pinyin]

     When [a place is] level and near, travelers are many; when [it is] steep and far, those who reach it are few.

5. (by extension) peaceful; tranquil; safe

   化險為夷／化险为夷  ―  huàxiǎnwèiyí  ―  to turn danger into safety

   • 世道夷則奇士退。 [MSC, trad.]
     世道夷则奇士退。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 抱朴子 (Baopuzi)

     Shìdào yí zé qíshì tuì. [Pinyin]

     When the world is at peace, remarkable men withdraw.

6. calm; placid; gentle (of disposition)

   • 內外完好，色夷氣清，可畏而親。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     内外完好，色夷气清，可畏而亲。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: 韓愈 (Han Yu), 《貞曜先生墓志銘》

     Nèiwài wánhǎo, sè yí qì qīng, kě wèi ér qīn. [Pinyin]

     Inwardly and outwardly sound, with calm countenance and clear spirit—one who inspires both awe and affection.

7. (by extension) ordinary; common; usual

   • 義取其貞，無從于夷禽。 [MSC, trad.]
     义取其贞，无从于夷禽。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 劉勰 (Liu Xie), 《文心雕龍·比興》 (Wenxin Diaolong)

     Yì qǔ qí zhēn, wú cóng yú yíqín. [Pinyin]

     The meaning is taken from its constancy; one does not abandon ordinary birds [in poetry].

8. to make level; to equalize; to even out

   • 五雉為五工正，利器用，正度量，夷民者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     五雉为五工正，利器用，正度量，夷民者也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE

     Wǔzhì wèi wǔgōng zhèng, lì qìyòng, zhèng dùliàng, yí mín zhě yě. [Pinyin]

     The Five Pheasants were the Five Masters of Works—sharpening tools, standardizing measures, equalizing [the burdens of] the people.

9. to cut grass; to mow; to weed

   • 掌殺草。春始生而萌之，夏日至而夷之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     掌杀草。春始生而萌之，夏日至而夷之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Rites of Zhou, circa 3^rd century BCE

     Zhǎng shā cǎo. Chūn shǐ shēng ér méng zhī, xià rì zhì ér yí zhī. [Pinyin]

     [The Grass-cutter] is in charge of killing grass. In spring when it first sprouts, he uproots it; at the summer solstice, he mows it.

10. to level (to the ground); to raze; to demolish

    夷為平地／夷为平地  ―  yíwèipíngdì  ―  to raze to the ground

    • 夷灶堙井，非退而何？ [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: Guoyu, circa 4^th century BCE

      Yí zào yīn jǐng, fēi tuì ér hé? [Pinyin]

      Destroying stoves and filling in wells—if this is not retreat, what is it?

11. (by extension) to eradicate; to exterminate; to annihilate

    夷三族  ―  yí sān zú  ―  to exterminate three clans

    • 一人有罪，而三族皆夷。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: Xunzi, c. 3^rd century BCE

      Yī rén yǒu zuì, ér sān zú jiē yí. [Pinyin]

      When one person commits a crime, all three clans are exterminated.

12. (by extension) to suppress; to quell; to pacify

    • 夷定天下。 [MSC, trad. and simp.]

      From: 《逸周書·明堂》

      Yí dìng tiānxià. [Pinyin]

      Pacifying and stabilizing all under heaven.

13. to close; to seal (gates, passes)

    • 是故政舉之日，夷關折符，無通其使。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
      是故政举之日，夷关折符，无通其使。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: The Art of War, circa 5^th century BCE

      Shìgù zhèng jǔ zhī rì, yí guān zhé fú, wú tōng qí shǐ. [Pinyin]

      Therefore, on the day military orders are issued, close the passes and break the tallies—do not let their envoys through.

14. to reduce; to lower; to demote

    • 今已夷為屬吏。 [MSC, trad.]
      今已夷为属吏。 [MSC, simp.]

      From: 沈德符 (Shen Defu), 《野獲編》

      Jīn yǐ yí wèi shǔlì. [Pinyin]

      Now [the position] has been reduced to that of a subordinate official.

15. to decline; to wane; to decay

    • 從古迄今，孰盛與夷？ [MSC, trad.]
      从古迄今，孰盛与夷？ [MSC, simp.]

      From: 韓愈 (Han Yu), 《楚國夫人墓志銘》

      Cónggǔ qìjīn, shú shèng yǔ yí? [Pinyin]

      From antiquity to the present, who has [not experienced] flourishing and decline?

16. (historical) an ancient hoe-like tool for weeding and leveling ground

    • 惡金以鑄鉏夷斤斸，試諸壤土。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
      恶金以铸锄夷斤𣃁，试诸壤土。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: Guoyu, circa 4^th century BCE

      È jīn yǐ zhù chú yí jīn 斸, shì zhū rǎngtǔ. [Pinyin]

      Inferior metal is used to cast hoes, weeding tools, axes, and mattocks—tested on the soil.

17. (archaic) to lay out; to arrange (specifically of a corpse); later written as 侇 (yí)

    • 男女奉尸夷于堂。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE

      Nánnǚ fèng shī yí yú táng. [Pinyin]

      Men and women carry the corpse and lay it out in the hall.

18. happy; pleased; joyful; later written as 恞 (yí)

    • 既見君子，云胡不夷？ [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
      既见君子，云胡不夷？ [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

      Jì jiàn jūnzǐ, yún hú bù yí? [Pinyin]

      Now that I have seen my lord, how could I not be glad?

    • 道莫貴兮歸真，羨余術兮可夷。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
      道莫贵兮归真，羡余术兮可夷。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: The Verses of Chu, 4^th century BCE – 2^nd century CE

      Dào mò guì xī guī zhēn, xiàn yú shù xī kě yí. [Pinyin]

      No Way is more precious than returning to the True; I admire that my art can bring joy.

19. (archaic) to injure; to harm; later written as 痍 (yí)

    • 夷于左股。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: I Ching, 11^th – 8^th century BCE

      Yí yú zuǒ gǔ. [Pinyin]

      Wounded in the left thigh.

    • 父子相夷則惡矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
      父子相夷则恶矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE

      Fùzǐ xiàng yí zé è yǐ. [Pinyin]

      If father and son harm each other, that is terrible.

20. constant; regular; normal; interchangeable with 彝 (yí)

    • 蟊賊蟊疾，靡有夷届。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
      蟊贼蟊疾，靡有夷届。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

      Máozéi máojí, mǐ yǒu yí jiè. [Pinyin]

      Pests and plagues—there is no regular end [to them].

21. to squat with legs spread (considered disrespectful)

    • 原壤夷俟。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE

      Yuán rǎng yí sì. [Pinyin]

      Yuan Rang squatted waiting [for Confucius].

22. (by extension) arrogant; disrespectful; rude

    • 不由禮則夷固僻違。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
      不由礼则夷固僻违。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

      From: Xunzi, c. 3^rd century BCE

      Bù yóu lǐ zé yí gù pì wéi. [Pinyin]

      Without following ritual, one becomes arrogant, obstinate, and perverse.

23. (Taoism) that which cannot be seen; the invisible; the formless

    • 視之不見名曰夷。 [MSC, trad.]
      视之不见名曰夷。 [MSC, simp.]

      From: Laozi

      Shì zhī bù jiàn míng yuē yí. [Pinyin]

      What is looked at but not seen is called Yi (the invisible).

24. big; great

    • 降福孔夷。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

      Jiàng fú kǒng yí. [Pinyin]

      He sends down blessings greatly abundant.

25. A sentence-initial particle with no independent meaning.

    • 夷考其行而不掩焉者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

      From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE

      Yí kǎo qí xíng ér bù yǎn yān zhě yě. [Pinyin]

      [If we] examine his conduct, it cannot be concealed.

26. 23rd tetragram of the Taixuanjing; "ease" (𝌜)

夷

1. (Hokkien) alternative form of 刣 (“to kill”)

• “夷”, in 漢語多功能字庫 (Multi-function Chinese Character Database)‎^[1], 香港中文大學 (the Chinese University of Hong Kong), 2014–

(Jinmeiyō kanji)

1. ancient tribes in eastern China
2. level (flat and low)
3. levelled destruction

• Go-on: い (i)
• Kan-on: い (i)
• Kun: えびす (ebisu, 夷)、ころす (korosu, 夷す)、たいらげる (tairageru, 夷らげる)^{←たひらげる (tafirageru, 夷らげる, historical)}
• Nanori: ひな (hina)、ひら (hira)

⟨emi₁si⟩ → */emʲisɨ/ → /emisə/ → /ebisu/

Shift from Old Japanese 蝦夷 (Emishi), modern Ezo.

• (Tokyo) えびす [éꜜbìsù] (Atamadaka – [1])^[1]
• IPA^(key): [e̞bʲisɨ]

夷(えびす) • (ebisu) 

1. (historical) synonym of 蝦夷 (Ezo): an ancient ethnic group attested in the Nihon Shoki that once lived on what is now the Kantō, Hokuriku and Tōhoku regions, likely as far as Hokkaido, possibly related to the Ainu people; dubbed "barbarians" or "savages" by the Yamato.
2. a person living far away from the 都 (miyako, “capital”), loosely translated to "bumpkin" or "hick"

   Synonym: 田舎者 (inakamono)

3. (regional, derogatory) a barbarian, savage, especially referring to the 東夷 (azuma-ebisu, “warrior from the eastern parts of Japan”)
   • 1204, Akishino Gesseishū (book 1, poem 223)

     わがおもふ人(ひと)だにすまばみちのくのえびすの里(さと)もうときものかは

     waga omou hito dani sumaba Michinoku no ebisu no sato utoki mono ka wa

     (please add an English translation of this example)

4. (by extension, derogatory) a foreigner

• 東(あずま)夷(えびす) (azuma-ebisu)

夷(えびす) • (Ebisu) 

1. a surname

/ji/ → /i/

From Middle Chinese 夷 (MC yij), originally referred to one of the ancient tribes east of China.

• (Tokyo) い [íꜜ] (Atamadaka – [1])^[1]
• IPA^(key): [i]

夷(い) • (i) 

1. those people with differing languages and/or cultures

   Synonym: 異民族 (iminzoku)

2. a barbarian, savage; uncivilized people (living to the east of ancient Imperial China; included Japan)

   Synonym: 野蛮人 (yabanjin)

3. a neutral (position)

   Synonym: 無色 (mushoku)

• 征(せい)夷(い) (seii)

• 夷(い)を以(もっ)て夷(い)を制(せい)す (i o motte i o seisu)

• “^▲夷”, in 漢字ぺディア [Kanjipedia]‎^[2] (in Japanese), The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, 2015–2026

From Middle Chinese 夷 (MC yij). Recorded as Middle Korean 이 (i) (Yale: i) in Hunmong Jahoe (訓蒙字會 / 훈몽자회), 1527.

夷 (eumhun 오랑캐 이 (orangkae i))
夷 (eumhun 평평할 이 (pyeongpyeonghal i))

1. hanja form^? of 이 (“barbarian”)
2. hanja form^? of 이 (“flat; level; smooth”)

• 국제퇴계학회 대구경북지부 (國際退溪學會 大邱慶北支部) (2007). Digital Hanja Dictionary, 전자사전／電子字典. [3]

夷: Hán Việt readings: di^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}
夷: Nôm readings: dai^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}, gì^[1][2][3][4], rì^[1][2], dơi^[5][7], ri^[1], rợ^[3]

1. chữ Nôm form of gì (“what”)
2. chữ Nôm form of ri (“(Central Vietnam) like this”)
3. chữ Nôm form of rì (“used in xanh rì (“deep green/blue”)”)