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夭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
夭
yāo
young, energetic; to die young
zg, 4 strokes, radical 大, rank #32800, Very Hard
夭
yāo
tender
unknown, 4 strokes, radical 大, rank #32800, Very Hard
夭
yāo
gentle
unknown, 4 strokes, radical 大, rank #32800, Very Hard
夭
yāo
to die prematurely
unknown, 4 strokes, radical 大, rank #32800, Very Hard
夭
yāo
Taiwan pr. [yao3]
unknown, 4 strokes, radical 大, rank #32800, Very Hard
yāo(yao1)yao T1
1young, energetic; to die young
2tender
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March 24, 2026
夭(殀)yāo(yao1)
The character 夭 (yāo) primarily conveys the idea of youth, tenderness, and premature death. It is often used in literary contexts to refer to someone who dies young or to describe gentle and delicate features. In a broader sense, it can also evoke a sense of vitality and energy associated with youth.
Strokes4Radical大Frequency#32800DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of dying young is often explored in poetry and literature, symbolizing untapped potential and the fragility of life. The character's usage can evoke deep feelings regarding fate and the shortness of life, often reflected in traditional stories.
Memory tip
Imagine a young tree (夭) that is vibrant and full of life but is suddenly cut down too soon. The top part of the character resembles a tree (木) and the bottom part (夭) suggests a sense of fragility, emphasizing the theme of dying young.
Meanings of 夭
yāo(yao1)
1young, energetic; to die young
2tender
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 夭 means.
About 夭
夭Simplified
殀Traditional
4Strokes
大Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 夭
Podcast: 夭
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AI study notes for 夭
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 夭 with similar-sounding characters like 妖 (yāo), which means 'demon' or 'charm'. This character is more formal and literary, so it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with pronunciation, particularly with tones, as 夭 is pronounced with the first tone (yāo).
HSK Study Tips
Since 夭 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, learners at HSK 2 or 3 should focus on basic characters and phrases that relate to youth and vitality. Understanding 夭 can enhance vocabulary related to life cycles and emotional expressions in literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 夭 to refer to youth in a casual context, not realizing its literary connotation. For example, saying '他很夭' (tā hěn yāo) to mean 'he is very young' is incorrect; instead, use 年轻 (niánqīng) for 'young'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 夭
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How to say young, energetic; to die young in Chinese
“young, energetic; to die young” in Chinese is夭yāo
The character 夭 (yāo) primarily conveys the idea of youth, tenderness, and premature death. It is often used in literary contexts to refer to someone who dies young or to describe gentle and delicate features. In a broader sense, it can also evoke a sense of vitality and energy associated with youth.
When to use 夭
Common mistakes include confusing 夭 with similar-sounding characters like 妖 (yāo), which means 'demon' or 'charm'. This character is more formal and literary, so it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with pronunciation, particularly with tones, as 夭 is pronounced with the first tone (yāo).
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 夭 to refer to youth in a casual context, not realizing its literary connotation. For example, saying '他很夭' (tā hěn yāo) to mean 'he is very young' is incorrect; instead, use 年轻 (niánqīng) for 'young'.
Write 夭
夭
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Grammar patterns of 夭
夭 carries 5 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
I'm very squeamish and when I see needles I run a mile.
4
不幸的是，他的合伙人都是些骗子，已卷款逃之夭夭了。
búxìng de shì， tā de héhuǒ rén dōushì xiē piànzi， yǐ juǎn kuǎn táo zhī yāo yāo le。
Unfortunately, his partners were crooks and absconded with the funds.
5
他从黑古隆冬的小巷里窜上来,但我逃之夭夭.
tā cóng hēi gǔ lōng dōng de xiǎo xiàng lǐ cuàn shànglái, dàn wǒ táo zhī yāo yāo.
He jumped from a dark alley and I beat it.
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Cultural Notes for 夭
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of a 'young death' is often romanticized or seen as tragic, whereas in Chinese literature, it can also carry a sense of beauty or spirituality, reflecting a different cultural attitude towards life and death.
Word Family of 夭
Words containing this character4
逃之夭夭to show a clean pair of heels
夭yāoto die young殀
夭折to die young or prematurely
夭亡to die young
Exercise 1 of 3
Words with 夭
What does 逃之夭夭 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 夭
It is pronounced as yāo, with a high, level tone.
While you can use it, it's more commonly found in formal or literary contexts rather than everyday speech.
You might encounter phrases in poetry or literature that discuss youth or untimely death, but it's less common in everyday phrases.
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