Keywords: nei, nèi, 内, Chinese character for inside, what does nei mean, how to use nei in Chinese, inside in Chinese, inner, within, internal, domestic, Chinese culture inside outside, 内容, 国内, 内心
Summary: The Chinese character 内 (nèi) is a fundamental term meaning “inside,” “inner,” or “within.” It's incredibly versatile, used to describe everything from the physical location of an object inside a box to abstract concepts like the “content” (内容) of a book or a person's “inner” thoughts (内心). Understanding 内 (nèi) is key to grasping concepts of time, space, and the important cultural distinction between the “in-group” and the “out-group” in Chinese society.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): nèi
Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective, Location Word
HSK Level: HSK 2
Concise Definition: The character 内 (nèi) means inside, inner, or within.
In a Nutshell: Think of 内 (nèi) as the concept of containment. It refers to everything on the inside of a boundary, whether that boundary is a physical wall, a period of time, or a social group. It's the direct opposite of 外 (wài), which means “outside.” While in English we might just say “in,” 内 (nèi) carries a slightly more formal and definitive sense of being enclosed or internal.