Ferroelectric YMnO$_3$ thin films were etched with Ar/Cl$_2$ and CF$_4$/Cl$_2$ inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The maximum etch rate of YMnO$_3$ thin film was 300 $AA$/min at a Ar/Cl$_2$ gas mixing ratio of 2/8, a RF power of 800 W, a DE bias of 200 V, a chamber pressure of 15 mTorr, and a substrate temperature of 30 $^{circ}C$. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, yttrium etched by chemical reactions with Cl radicals assisted by Ar ion bombardments in Ar/Cl$_2$ plasma. In CF$_4$/Cl$_2$ plasma, yttrium are remained on the etched surface of YMnO$_3$ and formed of nonvolatile YF$_{x}$ compounds manganese etched effectively by chemical reactions with Cl and F radicals. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the (0004) diffraction peak intensity of the YMnO$_3$ thin film etched in Ar/Cl$_2$ plasma shows lower value than that in CF$_4$/Cl$_2$ plasma. It indicates that the crystallinty of YMnO$_3$ thin film is more easily damaged by the Ar ion bombardment than the changes of stoichiometry due to nonvolatile etch by-products.s.