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囿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yòuto limit, to constrain; pen, cellvg, 9 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
yòuparkunknown, 9 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
yòube limited tounknown, 9 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
yòu(you4) T4
  1. 1to limit, to constrain; pen, cell
  2. 2park
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March 24, 2026

yòu(you4)

The character 囿 (yòu) means to limit or constrain, often referring to restrictions within a defined space. It can also denote a park or enclosure, emphasizing the idea of being confined to a specific area. This character is commonly used in contexts where boundaries or limitations are discussed.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, enclosed parks or gardens were often places of leisure for the elite, highlighting the importance of nature in their lives. The concept of confinement in these spaces reflects traditional values of harmony with nature.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small, enclosed park where the boundaries are marked by a fence. The shape of the character 园 resembles a fence, while the sound 'yòu' can remind you of 'you' feeling trapped inside this limited space. Visualizing yourself in this park can help you remember the meaning of being confined.

Meanings of 囿

yòu(you4)
1to limit, to constrain; pen, cell
2park
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 囿

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 囿

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AI Study Notes for 囿

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a small, enclosed park where the boundaries are marked by a fence. The shape of the character 园 resembles a fence, while the sound 'yòu' can remind you of 'you' feeling trapped inside this limited space. Visualizing yourself in this park can help you remember the meaning of being confined.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 囿 with similar-looking characters, as they may have different meanings. This term is more formal and is often used in literary or academic contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 囿于 (yòuyú), meaning 'to be limited to'.

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in the official HSK levels, 囿 can be related to other words concerning boundaries or limits, such as 限制 (xiànzhì, to restrict). Focus on understanding its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts, as this will enhance comprehension of related vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In ancient China, enclosed parks or gardens were often places of leisure for the elite, highlighting the importance of nature in their lives. The concept of confinement in these spaces reflects traditional values of harmony with nature.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 囿 with the character 园 (yuán), which means garden or park, leading to misunderstandings about context. Remember that 囿 emphasizes limitation, while 园 emphasizes the space itself.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 囿

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Etymology of 囿

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

enclosure

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 囿?

Decomposition of 囿

IDS Structure⿴囗有
Full Character
=
wei2
enclosing
you3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 囿?

Write 囿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 囿

囿 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

我们的生活____于工作、家庭和电视中。

Our lives are bounded by work, family and television.

Example Sentences for 囿 (1)

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1
我们的生活囿于工作、家庭和电视中。

wǒ mén de shēng huó yòu yú gōng zuò、 、 jiā tíng hé diàn shì。

Our lives are bounded by work, family and television.

Cultural Notes for 囿

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient China, enclosed parks or gardens were often places of leisure for the elite, highlighting the importance of nature in their lives. The concept of confinement in these spaces reflects traditional values of harmony with nature.

Word Family of 囿

Words Containing This Character1
yòupark
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 囿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 囿

In everyday conversations, 囿 is less commonly used; however, it can appear when discussing restrictions or defined spaces.