Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
佣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yòngcommission (for middleman)n, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yòngbrokerage feen, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yòngto hiren, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yòngto employn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yòngservantn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yònghired laborern, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yòngdomestic helpn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yòngto hire, to employ; commission; servantn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngcommission (for middleman)n, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngbrokerage feen, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngto hiren, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngto employn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngservantn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōnghired laborern, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngdomestic helpn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōngto hire, to employ; commission; servantn, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #25691, Hard
yōng(yong1)
primary
T1
  1. 1commission (for middleman)
  2. 2brokerage fee
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(傭)yōng(yong1)

The character 佣 (yōng) refers to a commission or fee paid to a middleman or broker for services rendered. It can also mean to hire or employ someone, often in the context of domestic help or labor. This term is commonly used in business transactions and discussions about employment.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#25691DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese society, the concept of hired help or domestic servants has been significant, especially in affluent families. Understanding this term can give insights into social structures and historical practices surrounding labor in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'young' person (yōng sounds like 'young') who is hired as a servant. Visualize them holding a commission check, symbolizing their role in facilitating a deal or service. The character itself features the radical for 'person' (亻), reinforcing the idea of a hired individual.

Meanings of 佣

yōng(yong1)
primary
1commission (for middleman)
2brokerage fee
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 佣

Simplified
Traditional
7Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#25691Frequency Rank

Podcast: 佣

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 佣

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'young' person (yōng sounds like 'young') who is hired as a servant. Visualize them holding a commission check, symbolizing their role in facilitating a deal or service. The character itself features the radical for 'person' (亻), reinforcing the idea of a hired individual.

Usage Notes

When using 佣, be mindful that it primarily refers to hired help or servitude, which can carry a formal or slightly old-fashioned connotation. Common collocations include 佣金 (yōngjīn - commission) and 雇佣 (gùyōng - to hire). Avoid using it in overly casual contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 佣 is not a standard HSK level word, it can be connected to themes of employment and finance found in higher levels. Students should focus on its usage in business contexts and related vocabulary like 雇佣 (gùyōng) and 服务 (fúwù - service).

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese society, the concept of hired help or domestic servants has been significant, especially in affluent families. Understanding this term can give insights into social structures and historical practices surrounding labor in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 佣 with similar terms like 雇 (gù - to hire), leading to misinterpretation. For instance, saying '我雇佣一个朋友' (Wǒ yōng yī gè péngyǒu - I employ a friend) is incorrect if the intention is casual; instead, use '我请一个朋友' (Wǒ qǐng yī gè péngyǒu).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 佣

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 佣

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

An employed 用 person 亻; 用 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 佣?

Decomposition of 佣

IDS Structure⿰亻用
Full Character
=
ren2
left
yong4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 佣?

Write 佣

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 佣

佣 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

雇____有经验、了解房地产业的人。

Hire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate.

Example Sentences for 佣 (7)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
雇佣有经验、了解房地产业的人。

gù yōng yǒu jīng yàn、 、 le jiě fáng dì chǎn yè de。

Hire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate.
2
那个身穿白色紧身短裤的胖女佣人不过 三十五 、六岁,为人活泼, 有求必应.

nà gè shēn chuān bái sè jǐn shēn duǎn kù de pàng nǚ yōng rén bù guò sān shí、 wǔ 、, liù suì , wéi, rén huó pō ,.

The maid in the lime - coloured panties was a cheerful fat, obliging woman in her mid - thirties.
3
对面四 叔 住房的窗下,不时有女佣端着碗碟经过.

duì miàn sì shū zhù fáng de, chuāng xià , bù shí yǒu nǚ yōng duān zháo wǎn.

Servants carrying platters : of food occasionally passed by Uncle Ke - an's window.
4
女佣张嫂连忙盛了两碗饭来.

nǚ yōng zhāng sǎo lián máng shèng le liǎng wǎn fàn lái.

A maid quickly served them bowls of rice.
5
官员们赚了钱, 经纪人也得到了优厚的佣金.

guān yuán mén zhuàn le qián, , jīng jì rén yě dé dào le yōu hòu de yōng.

The officials made money, and the brokers received a fat commission.
6
汤姆虽穷, 但永不受雇当佣人.

tāng mǔ suī qióng, , dàn yǒng bù shòu gù dāng yōng.

Though poor, Tom never hires out to do servants'work.
7
推销员的基本薪资很低,他们挣的大部分钱来自佣金.

tuī xiāo yuán de jī běn xīn zī hěn dī, , tā mén zhèng de dà bù fēn qián lái zì yōng.

Door - to - door salesmen usually have a low basic wage and earn most of their money on commission.

Cultural Notes for 佣

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese society, the concept of hired help or domestic servants has been significant, especially in affluent families. Understanding this term can give insights into social structures and historical practices surrounding labor in China.

Word Family of 佣

Words Containing This Character10
雇佣gùyōngto employ雇傭
佣金commission
女佣(female) maid女傭
yōngto hire
佣人servant傭人
佣兵mercenary傭兵
佣工servant傭工
帮佣servant幫傭
佣妇maid傭婦
佣钱commission佣錢
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 雇佣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 佣

In business, 佣 refers to the commission or fee paid to a broker or intermediary for facilitating a transaction.