unknown, 9 strokes, radical 女, rank #33972, Very Hard
姚
yáo
good-looking
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 女, rank #33972, Very Hard
yáo(Yao2) T2
1handsome, elegant, attractive; surname
2good-looking
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March 24, 2026
姚yáo(Yao2)
The character 姚 (yáo) primarily means handsome, elegant, or attractive. It is commonly used in names and can also refer to a surname, particularly the surname Yao. This character conveys a sense of beauty and grace, often associated with physical appearance.
Strokes9Radical女Frequency#33972DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, names often carry deep meanings and significance. The character 姚 is appreciated for its association with physical beauty and elegance, reflecting societal values around aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a handsome young man with a graceful posture holding a delicate fan. The left side of 姚 resembles a person (the 'man' radical), and the right side can be visualized as a fan, symbolizing elegance and beauty.
Meanings of 姚
yáo(Yao2)
1handsome, elegant, attractive; surname
2good-looking
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 姚
姚Simplified
9Strokes
女Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 姚
Podcast: 姚
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AI Study Notes for 姚
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a handsome young man with a graceful posture holding a delicate fan. The left side of 姚 resembles a person (the 'man' radical), and the right side can be visualized as a fan, symbolizing elegance and beauty.
Usage Notes
When using 姚, be cautious as it is primarily a name and may not be suitable for everyday conversation about beauty unless in a specific context. It is important to note the tone; 姚 is pronounced with a rising tone (yáo), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
While 姚 is not currently listed in the HSK levels, it can be useful for learners looking to expand their vocabulary in personal names or descriptions of beauty. Students should focus on recognizing its components and practicing pronunciation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, names often carry deep meanings and significance. The character 姚 is appreciated for its association with physical beauty and elegance, reflecting societal values around aesthetics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 姚 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, using 'yao' (姚) when intending to say 'beautiful' in a colloquial sense is incorrect; a better choice would be '美丽' (měilì).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 姚
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Grammar Patterns of 姚
姚 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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 2
Complete the Sentence
舜帝姓____,史称“虞舜”.
Legend has it that King Shun had as his surname Yao.
Example Sentences for 姚 (1)
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1
舜帝姓姚,史称“虞舜”.
shùn dì xìng yáo, , shǐ“ chēng “”.
Legend has it that King Shun had as his surname Yao.
Cultural Notes for 姚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, names often carry deep meanings and significance. The character 姚 is appreciated for its association with physical beauty and elegance, reflecting societal values around aesthetics.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of beauty is often more subjective and less tied to names, whereas in Chinese culture, names can carry specific ideals of attractiveness and grace.
Word Family of 姚
Words Containing This Character12
姚yáohandsome
姚明Yao Ming (1980-), retired Chinese basketball player, played for CBA Shanghai Sharks 1997-2002 and for NBA Houston Rockets 2002-2011
余姚Yuyao county level city in Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Níngbō], Zhejiang餘姚
姚文元Yao Wenyuan (1931-2005), one of the Gang of Four
大姚Dayao county in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[ChǔxióngYízúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan
姚滨Yao Bin (1957-), PRC champion ice skater during early 1980s and more recently national skating coach姚濱
余姚市Yuyao county level city in Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Níngbō], Zhejiang餘姚市
姚雪垠Yao Xueyin (1910-1999), PRC novelist, author of historical novel Li Zicheng 李自成
大姚县Dayao county in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[ChǔxióngYízúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan大姚縣
姚安Yao'an county in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[ChǔxióngYízúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan
姚安县Yao'an county in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[ChǔxióngYízúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan姚安縣
姚思廉Yao Silian (557-637), Tang writer and compiler of 梁書|梁书 and 陳書 陈书
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 姚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 姚
Yes, 姚 is a recognized Chinese surname, though not among the most common.
It is more appropriate to use 姚 in the context of names; for general descriptions of beauty, other words may be more suitable.
