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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#32800DifficultyHard
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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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
Complete the Sentence
他们挣脱后开着一辆偷来的车逃之____夭。
They broke free and made off in a stolen car.
Example Sentences for 夭 (5)
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1
他们挣脱后开着一辆偷来的车逃之夭夭。
tā mén zhèng tuō hòu kāi zháo yī liàng tōu lái de chē táo zhī yāo yāo。
They broke free and made off in a stolen car.
2
当那两名男子还击时，袭击他们的少年逃之夭夭。
dāng nà liǎng míng nán zǐ huán jī shí， ， xí jī tā mén de shǎo nián táo zhī yāo。
The teenage attackers fled when the two men fought back.
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。
bù xìng de shì， ， tā de hé huǒ rén dū shì xiē piàn， zǐ ， yǐ juàn kuǎn táo zhī yāo。
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 lóng dōng de xiǎo xiàng lǐ cuàn shàng lái, , dàn wǒ táo zhī yāo.
He jumped from a dark alley and I beat it.
Cultural Notes for 夭
🏮Cultural insight
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.
🌏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 4
Compound Meaning
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.
