ancient district spanning Liaonang and Hebei provinces
n, 9 strokes, radical 幺, rank #12782, Hard
幽
yōu
quiet, secluded, tranquil; dark
n, 9 strokes, radical 幺, rank #12782, Hard
yōu(you1) T1
1remote
2hidden away
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March 24, 2026
幽yōu(you1)
The character 幽 (yōu) conveys a sense of remoteness and seclusion, often associated with peace and tranquility. It can refer to a hidden place, an atmosphere of serenity, or even the concept of the underworld in superstitious contexts. This character is commonly used to describe quiet, secluded environments or to express feelings of imprisonment in a metaphorical sense.
Strokes9Radical幺Frequency#12782DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of the underworld is significant, especially during festivals such as the Qingming Festival when people honor their ancestors. The character 幽 connects to this cultural practice of remembering the serene and hidden aspects of life and death.
Memory Tip
Imagine a quiet, hidden valley where the spirits of the underworld dwell. The character 幽 resembles a small, secluded cave (the radical '亻' suggests a person) where one might find peace away from the chaos of the outside world. By picturing this serene cave, you can remember both the meaning (remote and peaceful) and the pronunciation (yōu).
Meanings of 幽
yōu(you1)
1remote
2hidden away
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 幽
幽Simplified
9Strokes
幺Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12782Frequency Rank
Podcast: 幽
Podcast: 幽
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AI Study Notes for 幽
Quick Contrast
幽 (yōu) vs 静 (jìng) — use 幽 for a sense of remote seclusion, while 静 emphasizes quietness or stillness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a quiet, hidden valley where the spirits of the underworld dwell. The character 幽 resembles a small, secluded cave (the radical '亻' suggests a person) where one might find peace away from the chaos of the outside world. By picturing this serene cave, you can remember both the meaning (remote and peaceful) and the pronunciation (yōu).
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 幽 with similar-sounding characters like 优 (yōu, meaning 'excellent') due to their similar pronunciation. 幽 is more formal and poetic, often found in literature and descriptions of nature, so it's best used in a literary context rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 'yōu' to avoid miscommunication.
HSK Study Tips
Since 幽 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on its context in literature and poetry. Connecting it with other HSK words related to nature and tranquility can enhance understanding. Utilize this character to enrich descriptive language when discussing serene environments.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of the underworld is significant, especially during festivals such as the Qingming Festival when people honor their ancestors. The character 幽 connects to this cultural practice of remembering the serene and hidden aspects of life and death.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 幽 with 优 (yōu), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '这地方很优' (This place is very excellent) instead of '这地方很幽' (This place is very secluded) can convey a completely different meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 幽
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Grammar Patterns of 幽
幽 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 9 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.
In Chinese culture, the concept of the underworld is significant, especially during festivals such as the Qingming Festival when people honor their ancestors. The character 幽 connects to this cultural practice of remembering the serene and hidden aspects of life and death.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the idea of the underworld is often associated with hell or punishment, whereas in Chinese culture, it is more about honoring ancestors and the peaceful aspects of death.
Word Family of 幽
Words Containing This Character20
幽默yōumòhumorous
幽灵specter幽靈
幽yōuremote
幽默感sense of humor
幽幽faint
幽会tryst幽會
幽静quiet幽靜
幽门pylorus (anatomy)幽門
幽州Fanyang 範陽|范阳 ancient city near modern Beijing
幽雅ethereal (of music)
幽怨hidden bitterness, secret grudge
幽谷deep valley
幽暗gloom
幽深serene and hidden in depth or distance
清幽beautiful and secluded
幽香delicate fragrance
幽魂ghost
幽冥dark
幽僻secluded
幽禁to imprison
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 幽默 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 幽
幽 (yōu) emphasizes serenity and seclusion, while 隐 (yǐn) focuses more on concealment or hiding. Both characters can describe something that is not easily seen, but 幽 often conveys a peaceful or tranquil quality.
Yes, 幽 (yōu) is still used in modern Chinese, particularly in literary works or to describe peaceful environments. It might not be as common in everyday conversation, but it retains its poetic and serene connotations.
幽 (yōu) means remote, hidden away, or secluded. It can also refer to a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Additionally, it can imply the concept of imprisonment in certain contexts.
You can use 幽 (yōu) to describe a tranquil place, such as '这个地方非常幽静' (This place is very serene). It can also be used in literary contexts to evoke a sense of seclusion or mystery.
幽 can mean secluded or hidden, often referring to peaceful places or environments. It can also relate to the underworld in superstitious terms.
You might say 幽静的山谷 (yōu jìng de shān gǔ) to describe a 'quiet and secluded valley'.
It is less common in everyday conversation and is more frequently found in literary or poetic contexts.
