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哟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
哟yōah, final particlezg, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yōOh! (interjection indicating slight surprise)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yō(sentence-final particle expressing exhortation)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yō(syllable filler in a song)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yoah, final particlezg, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yoOh! (interjection indicating slight surprise)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yo(sentence-final particle expressing exhortation)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yo(syllable filler in a song)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yōah, final particlezg, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yōOh! (interjection indicating slight surprise)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yō(sentence-final particle expressing exhortation)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
哟yō(syllable filler in a song)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #2271, Medium
yō(y5o1)
primary
T1
  1. 1ah, final particle
  2. 2Oh! (interjection indicating slight surprise)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

哟(喲)yō(y5o1)

哟 (yō) is a sentence-final particle used in Mandarin to express exhortation or to indicate slight surprise, similar to 'oh!' in English. It adds an emotional nuance to statements, often conveying a sense of enthusiasm or urgency. Commonly used in informal speech, it can also serve as a syllable filler in songs or casual conversations.

Strokes9Radical口Frequency#2271DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, using 哟 can convey warmth and friendliness in conversation, making interactions feel more engaging and lively. It's often used in greetings or when sharing good news among friends.

Memory tip

Imagine someone giving a cheerful shout of 'Yo!' when they see something surprising or exciting. The character 哟 resembles a person with an open mouth, exclaiming in surprise. The sound 'yō' can be remembered as the joyous call of 'Yo!' which echoes excitement.

Meanings of 哟

yō(y5o1)
primary
1ah, final particle
2Oh! (interjection indicating slight surprise)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 哟 means.

About 哟

哟Simplified
喲Traditional
9Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 哟

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Podcast: 哟

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AI study notes for 哟

Usage Notes

哟 is primarily used in informal contexts, so avoid it in formal writing or speeches. A common mistake is to use it too liberally; it's best suited to exclamations or lighthearted comments. Be aware of the tone change; using it in a flat tone can diminish its expressive quality.

HSK Study Tips

Though 哟 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it enriches conversational skills at lower levels by adding expression. Students should focus on its usage in casual dialogues, as it enhances emotional expression in speech.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 哟 in formal contexts, thinking it adds emphasis when it actually detracts from the professionalism of the language. For example, saying '请您哟参加会议' (Please attend the meeting, yo) is incorrect; instead, stick with '请您参加会议.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 哟

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Etymology of 哟

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 约 represents the sound. Simplified form of 喲.

Memory hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)约
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

哟 = 口 + 约. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 哟

IDS Structure⿰口约
哟Full character
=
口kou3
left
约yao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 哟?

How to say ah, final particle in Chinese

“ah, final particle” in Chinese is哟yō

哟 (yō) is a sentence-final particle used in Mandarin to express exhortation or to indicate slight surprise, similar to 'oh!' in English. It adds an emotional nuance to statements, often conveying a sense of enthusiasm or urgency. Commonly used in informal speech, it can also serve as a syllable filler in songs or casual conversations.

When to use 哟

哟 is primarily used in informal contexts, so avoid it in formal writing or speeches. A common mistake is to use it too liberally; it's best suited to exclamations or lighthearted comments. Be aware of the tone change; using it in a flat tone can diminish its expressive quality.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 哟 in formal contexts, thinking it adds emphasis when it actually detracts from the professionalism of the language. For example, saying '请您哟参加会议' (Please attend the meeting, yo) is incorrect; instead, stick with '请您参加会议.'

Write 哟

哟

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

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Grammar patterns of 哟

哟 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 5

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他们今天会说,“哎____,我们犯了个错误。”

Today they're saying, "Oops, we made a mistake."

Example sentences for 哟 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们今天会说,“哎哟,我们犯了个错误。”

tāmen jīntiān huì shuō,“ āi yō, wǒmen fàn le gè cuòwù。”

Today they're saying, "Oops, we made a mistake."
2
哎哟,好痛。

āi yō, hǎo tòng。

Ouch. That hurt.
3
“哟,好烫啊,”他说。

“ yō, hǎo tàng a,” tā shuō。

"Whew," he said. "It's hot."
4
哎哟!小心点,你差点把咖啡洒得到处都是。

āi yō! xiǎoxīn diǎn, nǐ chà diǎn bǎ kāfēi sǎ dédào chǔ dōushì。

Whoops! Careful, you almost spilt coffee everywhere.
5
“ 天哪! ” 和 “ 哎哟 ” 都是感叹词.

“ tiān nǎ! ” hé “ āi yō ” dōushì gǎntàn cí.

" Good Heavens! " and " Ouch ! " are interjections.
6
“哟,什么味道这么难闻啊?”她大喊道。

“ yō, shénme wèidào zhème nán wén a?” tā dà hǎn dào。

"Whew! What is that terrible smell?" she cried.
7
哎哟! 真疼啊.

āi yō! zhēn téng a.

Ouch! It really hurts.
8
哎哟,真疼 啊 !

āi yō, zhēn téng a!

Ow ! It really hurts!
9
哎哟!你踩着我的脚指头了!

āi yō! nǐ cǎi zhe wǒ de jiǎo zhǐtou le!

Ouch! You trod on my toe!
10
哎哟!我差点把酒洒了。

āi yō! wǒ chà diǎn bǎ jiǔ sǎ le。

Oops! I almost spilled the wine.

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Word Family of 哟

Words containing this character3
哟yō(syllable filler in a song)喲
哎哟hey哎喲
啊哟Oh啊喲
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 哟

What does 哎哟 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 哟

Use 哟 at the end of sentences to express excitement or surprise, particularly in informal contexts.

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