Meanings of 吆
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About 吆
Podcast: 吆
Podcast: 吆
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AI Study Notes for 吆
呼 (hū) - use 吆 (yāo) when emphasizing a forceful call, while 呼 (hū) is more neutral and can refer to breathing or calling in a softer manner.
Be cautious with the tone; 吆 is pronounced with a first tone (yāo), meaning a high, level tone, which can differ significantly from other similar-sounding words. It is mostly used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include 吆喝 (yāo hē, to shout) and 吆叫 (yāo jiào, to yell).
While 吆 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners at higher levels to understand colloquial expressions. Focus on its usage in informal dialogues and market settings, as this can enhance conversational skills.
Learners often confuse 吆 with similar-sounding words like 摇 (yáo, to shake), which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying 吆 instead of 摇 when referring to shaking a bottle could confuse the listener.
Pronunciation of 吆
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Etymology of 吆
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 幺 represents the sound.
mouth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 吆
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 幺 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half幺 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymouth
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 吆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 吆?
Decomposition of 吆
Identify the Components
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How to say to cry, to bawl; to yell, to shout in Chinese
“to cry, to bawl; to yell, to shout” in Chinese is吆
The character 吆 (yāo) primarily means to shout or yell, often used in the context of urging someone or something to action, such as calling out to an animal or trying to get someone's attention. It can also refer to a loud cry or call, commonly associated with hawking goods in markets. The nuance of the term implies an energetic or forceful tone.
When to use 吆
Be cautious with the tone; 吆 is pronounced with a first tone (yāo), meaning a high, level tone, which can differ significantly from other similar-sounding words. It is mostly used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include 吆喝 (yāo hē, to shout) and 吆叫 (yāo jiào, to yell).
吆 or something close to it
呼 (hū) - use 吆 (yāo) when emphasizing a forceful call, while 呼 (hū) is more neutral and can refer to breathing or calling in a softer manner.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 吆 with similar-sounding words like 摇 (yáo, to shake), which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying 吆 instead of 摇 when referring to shaking a bottle could confuse the listener.
Write 吆
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Practice writing 吆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 吆
吆 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
他来到门口, 一面用枪托猛敲店门, 一面____喝着要喝酒.
He went to the door and, hammering with a revolver, demanded drink.
Example Sentences for 吆 (2)
Word Family of 吆
Compound Meaning
What does 吆喝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 吆
You can say 吆, 我们出发吧！(Yāo, wǒmen chūfā ba!), meaning 'Hey, let's go!'.
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