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March 24, 2026
揶yé(ye2)
The character 揶 (yé) primarily means to ridicule or poke fun at someone. It is often used in contexts where someone is teasing, jesting, or making light of a situation, usually in a playful manner. The nuance can suggest a light-hearted mockery rather than harsh criticism.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Teasing and playful ridicule are common in Chinese social interactions, especially among friends, where it is seen as a sign of closeness. This is reflected in the use of 揶 in casual conversations and social media.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person holding a ‘yoke’ (sounds like 'ye') and poking fun at their friend for being burdened by it. The character 揶 has the hand radical 扌 on the left, suggesting action (like gesturing or poking), combined with the sound component 也 (yě), which reinforces the playful tone.
Meanings of 揶
yé(ye2)
1to ridicule, to poke fun at
2to gesticulate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 揶
揶Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 揶
Podcast: 揶
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AI Study Notes for 揶
Quick Contrast
揶 (yé) vs 嘲 (cháo) — use 揶 for light-hearted teasing, while 嘲 implies a more scornful or mocking tone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person holding a ‘yoke’ (sounds like 'ye') and poking fun at their friend for being burdened by it. The character 揶 has the hand radical 扌 on the left, suggesting action (like gesturing or poking), combined with the sound component 也 (yě), which reinforces the playful tone.
Usage Notes
When using 揶, be careful about the tone; it can be playful or sarcastic, depending on context. It is more commonly used in informal settings rather than formal speech. A common collocation is 揶揄 (yéyú), which specifically means to tease or ridicule.
HSK Study Tips
Although 揶 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it shares roots with other characters related to gestures and communication, like 握 (wò, to grasp) or 拍 (pāi, to pat). Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and understanding its playful connotation.
Cultural Note
Teasing and playful ridicule are common in Chinese social interactions, especially among friends, where it is seen as a sign of closeness. This is reflected in the use of 揶 in casual conversations and social media.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 揶 with more serious terms for ridicule, like 嘲笑 (cháoxiào). For instance, saying 揶 when referring to a serious criticism is incorrect; use 嘲笑 instead to convey a harsher tone.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 揶
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Grammar Patterns of 揶
揶 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
bèi fù lán kè lín yé yú zhī hòu， ， sà lā de liǎn shàng quán wú xiào。
Sara was not amused by Franklin's teasing.
Cultural Notes for 揶
🏮Cultural insight
Teasing and playful ridicule are common in Chinese social interactions, especially among friends, where it is seen as a sign of closeness. This is reflected in the use of 揶 in casual conversations and social media.
Word Family of 揶
Words Containing This Character2
揶揄to mock
揶yéto gesticulate
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 揶揄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 揶
No, 揶 is typically used in informal contexts and is not appropriate for formal writing.
It is best used for light-hearted teasing rather than harsh criticism or sarcasm.
A common phrase is 揶揄 (yéyú), which directly translates to teasing or ridiculing someone.
