Meanings of 杳
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 杳
Podcast: 杳
Podcast: 杳
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 杳
This character is typically used in more formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases describing dark places or the disappearance of something significant. Be mindful of its tone; mispronouncing it as 'yào' could lead to confusion with the word for 'want' (要).
Although 杳 is not an HSK word, it can enrich vocabulary at advanced levels, especially in literary studies. Learners should focus on recognizing its use in poetry and literature, as it connects to themes of nature and the unknown found in HSK Level 6 materials. Understanding its context can also help with related words like 深 (shēn, deep) and 隐 (yǐn, hidden).
Learners often confuse 杳 with similar-looking characters like 曉 (xiǎo, dawn), which means 'dawn' or 'to understand.' For example, saying '我在山中曉了' (I understood in the mountain) instead of '我在山中杳了' (I disappeared in the mountain) changes the meaning significantly.
Pronunciation of 杳
Drill the tone of 杳 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 杳
The sun 日 setting below the woods 木
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 杳
- 1The giveawayThe sun 日 setting below the woods 木
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 杳? 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
What type of character formation is 杳?
Decomposition of 杳
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 杳?
How to say dark, mysterious, obscure; deep in Chinese
“dark, mysterious, obscure; deep” in Chinese is杳
The character 杳 (yǎo) conveys meanings related to darkness, obscurity, and mystery. It is often used in literary contexts to describe places or situations that are deep and quiet, or to imply something that has disappeared or is hard to find. This character carries a poetic nuance, often evoking a sense of tranquility or melancholy.
When to use 杳
This character is typically used in more formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases describing dark places or the disappearance of something significant. Be mindful of its tone; mispronouncing it as 'yào' could lead to confusion with the word for 'want' (要).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 杳 with similar-looking characters like 曉 (xiǎo, dawn), which means 'dawn' or 'to understand.' For example, saying '我在山中曉了' (I understood in the mountain) instead of '我在山中杳了' (I disappeared in the mountain) changes the meaning significantly.
Write 杳
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 杳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 杳
杳 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.
Complete the Sentence
科林被他打了一顿后就离家出走了，从此____无音讯。
After his beating Colin ran away and hasn'tbeen heard of since.
Example Sentences for 杳 (2)
Word Family of 杳
Compound Meaning
What does 杳无音信 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 杳
Synonyms include 深 (shēn, deep) and 隐 (yǐn, hidden), which also convey a sense of obscurity or depth.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 杳?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.