Meanings of 姣
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 姣
Podcast: 姣
Podcast: 姣
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 姣
姣 (jiāo) vs 美 (měi) — use 姣 for a more delicate, poetic sense of beauty, while 美 is more general and commonly used.
Imagine a graceful woman (representing 'beauty') standing next to a tall, elegant tree (the radical 女 for 'woman' combined with the tree-like structure of the character). The sound 'jiāo' resembles the gentle call of a bird, emphasizing the beauty of nature and femininity.
While 姣 is a pleasant adjective, it is somewhat formal and literary; avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 姣好 (jiāo hǎo, meaning 'very beautiful') and 姣姣 (jiāo jiāo, often used to express a repeated beauty). Be cautious with tone, as the first tone is high and level.
Though not included in HSK levels, 姣 connects with other beauty-related vocabulary like 美 (měi) and 漂亮 (piàoliang), which are more commonly used. Focus on understanding how beauty is expressed in different contexts to enhance your vocabulary.
The character 姣 often appears in classical poetry and literature, reflecting traditional Chinese values that celebrate feminine beauty and grace. It embodies the aesthetic appreciation deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
Learners often confuse 姣 with other beauty-related terms like 美 (měi). For example, saying '她很美' (tā hěn měi, 'She is beautiful') is correct, but using '她很姣' (tā hěn jiāo) sounds awkward in conversation. Stick to 美 for everyday use.
Pronunciation of 姣
Drill the tone of 姣 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 姣
woman
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 姣?
Decomposition of 姣
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 姣?
Write 姣
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 姣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 姣
姣 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
那种淡白的月光,本来能叫老丑的妇人变为美人,现在把这副原本就____丽的面孔, 更映照得天神一般了.
The pale lunar touches which make beauties of hags lent divinity to this face, already beautiful.
Example Sentences for 姣 (1)
Cultural Notes for 姣
The character 姣 often appears in classical poetry and literature, reflecting traditional Chinese values that celebrate feminine beauty and grace. It embodies the aesthetic appreciation deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 姣
Compound Meaning
What does 姣 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 姣
Typically, 姣 is used to describe women or feminine beauty, so it's less common to use it for men.