Abstract: Using the method of semantic judgement, we explored the retrieval of the feature meaning of Chinese words. The subjects were 40 college under-graduates. The results showed that the Yi Fu of Chinese characters playedan important part in the retrieval of defining feature meaning of Chinesewords, but it has no effect on the tetrieval of characteristic feature meaning.The retrieval time of characteristic feature meaning depends on the strengthof the characteristic feature. Word familiarity and semantic distance alsoaffected the retrieval time of the feature meaning of words. The study showsthat Yi Fu has widespread role in semantic retrieval of Chinese words.

Key words: semantic retrieval, Yi Fu, defining feature, characteristic feature