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March 24, 2026
呦yōu(you1)
The character 呦 (yōu) represents an exclamatory sound, often associated with the call of a deer or used to express surprise or dismay. It can be used in phrases such as 呦呦 (yōu yōu), which mimics the sound made by deer. Although it is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can be found in literary contexts or expressions.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#4481DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, deer are often seen as symbols of grace and gentleness, and their calls are appreciated in poetry and literature. The use of 呦 in expressions can evoke a sense of nature and tranquility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a deer calling out in the forest, saying 'yōu' as it bleats. The character 呦 resembles a deer with its antlers (the top part) lifted high, calling out to its companions. Picture this scene to remember the sound and its meaning.
Meanings of 呦
yōu(you1)
1the sound of a deer bleating
2Oh! (exclamation of dismay etc)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 呦
呦Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
叹词tàncíinterjection (interj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 呦
Podcast: 呦
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AI Study Notes for 呦
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a deer calling out in the forest, saying 'yōu' as it bleats. The character 呦 resembles a deer with its antlers (the top part) lifted high, calling out to its companions. Picture this scene to remember the sound and its meaning.
Usage Notes
This character is informal and primarily used in literary or playful contexts. Learners should avoid using it in formal writing or speech. It's commonly paired with itself in the phrase 呦呦, which emphasizes the sound.
HSK Study Tips
Although 呦 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it offers an interesting example of sound symbolism in Chinese. Students at this level should focus on recognizing how sound and meaning can interplay in language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, deer are often seen as symbols of grace and gentleness, and their calls are appreciated in poetry and literature. The use of 呦 in expressions can evoke a sense of nature and tranquility.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 呦 with similar-sounding characters or use it inappropriately in formal contexts. For example, saying '我呦喜欢这个' (I yōu like this) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个' (I like this).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 呦
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Grammar Patterns of 呦
呦 functions as an interjection — a standalone exclamation. It typically opens the sentence (啊！哎呀！) and is set off by a pause or comma. It carries 2 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.
To learn ; I'm not hungry, close your eyes, round, happy birthday, ouch.
Cultural Notes for 呦
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, deer are often seen as symbols of grace and gentleness, and their calls are appreciated in poetry and literature. The use of 呦 in expressions can evoke a sense of nature and tranquility.
Word Family of 呦
Words Containing This Character1
呦yōu(literary) (onom.) bleating of a deer
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 呦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 呦
It is an exclamatory sound often associated with the bleating of a deer.
No, it's considered informal and is better suited for literary or playful contexts.
The pronunciation is 'yōu', with a high and level tone.
