Meanings of 掖
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About 掖
Podcast: 掖
Podcast: 掖
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AI Study Notes for 掖
Common mistakes include confusing 掖 with similar characters like 抱 (bào), which means 'to hold.' This character is more informal and is rarely used in formal writing. Be cautious of the pronunciation as it can also be read as [yi4] in different contexts, which can lead to misunderstandings.
Although 掖 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it shares components with higher-level words and can be linked to verbs of action and support. Students should focus on recognizing the context in which this character is used to enhance their comprehension.
Learners often confuse 掖 with 抱 (bào) due to similar meanings related to support. For instance, saying '我抱着他' (wǒ bào zhe tā) instead of '我掖着他' (wǒ yē zhe tā) when referring to simply helping someone can lead to awkwardness in context.
Pronunciation of 掖
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Etymology of 掖
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 夜 represents the sound.
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Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 掖
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 夜 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half夜 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 掖? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 掖
Identify the Components
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How to say to tuck, to fold; to support in Chinese
“to tuck, to fold; to support” in Chinese is掖
The character 掖 (yē) primarily means 'to tuck' or 'to fold,' often in the context of clothing or items being secured or hidden. It can also convey the idea of supporting or helping someone, making it versatile in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as aiding someone discreetly.
When to use 掖
Common mistakes include confusing 掖 with similar characters like 抱 (bào), which means 'to hold.' This character is more informal and is rarely used in formal writing. Be cautious of the pronunciation as it can also be read as [yi4] in different contexts, which can lead to misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 掖 with 抱 (bào) due to similar meanings related to support. For instance, saying '我抱着他' (wǒ bào zhe tā) instead of '我掖着他' (wǒ yē zhe tā) when referring to simply helping someone can lead to awkwardness in context.
Write 掖
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Practice writing 掖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 掖
掖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
Complete the Sentence
会有人给他____好被子,让他舒舒服服地睡觉。
He would be tucked comfortably into bed.
Example Sentences for 掖 (1)
Word Family of 掖
Compound Meaning
What does 掖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 掖
Common phrases might include 掖着 (yē zhe), meaning 'tucked in,' or 掖在口袋里 (yē zài kǒudài lǐ), meaning 'tucked in the pocket.'
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