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狱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
狱
yù
prison
zg, 9 strokes, radical 犭, rank #4722, Hard
狱
yù
prison, jail; case; lawsuit
zg, 9 strokes, radical 犭, rank #4722, Hard
yù(yu4)yu T4
1prison
2prison, jail; case; lawsuit
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March 24, 2026
狱(獄)yù(yu4)
The character 狱 (yù) refers to a place of confinement, specifically a prison or jail. It can also connote legal contexts, such as cases or lawsuits. This character is commonly used in discussions about law, justice, and the penal system.
Strokes9Radical犭Frequency#4722DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of justice and punishment has deep historical roots, often reflected in literature and philosophy, making 狱 a significant term in discussions about morality and social order.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'yacht' (sounds like 'yù') trapped in a 'cage' (the radical '犭' suggests animals and confinement). Picture this yacht being held captive in a vast 'ocean of legal troubles', representing the concept of prison.
Meanings of 狱
yù(yu4)
1prison
2prison, jail; case; lawsuit
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 狱 means.
About 狱
狱Simplified
獄Traditional
9Strokes
犭Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4722Frequency Rank
Podcast: 狱
Podcast: 狱
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AI study notes for 狱
Quick Contrast
监狱 (jiān yù) vs 狱 (yù): 监狱 specifically refers to a prison facility, while 狱 has a broader legal connotation, including any place of confinement or legal contexts.
Usage Notes
When using 狱, be careful to distinguish it from related terms like 监狱 (jiān yù), which specifically means 'prison'. This character is more formal and is typically used in legal contexts; informal terms for jail might differ. Avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
While 狱 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other legal and formal terms at various levels. Students should focus on understanding its usage in legal contexts and its relationship to other words related to crime and punishment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 狱 with 监狱 (jiān yù), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我去狱' ('I go to prison') instead of '我去监狱' is incorrect; use 监狱 for specific prison contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 狱
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The character 狱 (yù) refers to a place of confinement, specifically a prison or jail. It can also connote legal contexts, such as cases or lawsuits. This character is commonly used in discussions about law, justice, and the penal system.
When to use 狱
When using 狱, be careful to distinguish it from related terms like 监狱 (jiān yù), which specifically means 'prison'. This character is more formal and is typically used in legal contexts; informal terms for jail might differ. Avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding words.
狱 or something close to it
监狱 (jiān yù) vs 狱 (yù): 监狱 specifically refers to a prison facility, while 狱 has a broader legal connotation, including any place of confinement or legal contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 狱 with 监狱 (jiān yù), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我去狱' ('I go to prison') instead of '我去监狱' is incorrect; use 监狱 for specific prison contexts.
Write 狱
狱
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Practice writing 狱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 狱
狱 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他在得克萨斯监____服刑时学会了这首歌。
He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
Example sentences for 狱 (10)
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1
他在得克萨斯监狱服刑时学会了这首歌。
tā zài de kè sà Sī jiānyù fú xíng shí xuéhuì le zhè shǒu gē。
He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
Nearly 5,000 people a year are put behind bars over motoring penalties.
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Word Family of 狱
Words containing this character20
监狱jiānyùprison監獄
地狱dìyùhell地獄
狱yùprison獄
越狱yuèyùto break out of prison越獄
入狱rùyùto go to jail入獄
出狱chūyùto be released from prison出獄
炼狱liànyùpurgatory煉獄
牢狱láoyùprison牢獄
人间地狱rénjiāndìyùfig. having an uncomfortable time人間地獄
狱卒yùzújailer (old)獄卒
锒铛入狱lángdāngrùyùto get jailed鋃鐺入獄
牢狱之灾láoyùzhīzāiimprisonment牢獄之災
下狱xiàyùto imprison下獄
劫狱jiéyùto break into jail劫獄
冤狱yuānyùframe-up冤獄
文字狱wénzìyùliterary inquisition文字獄
狱吏yùlìprison guard獄吏
典狱长diǎnyùzhǎngwarden典獄長
秦城监狱qínchéngjiānyùQincheng Prison, maximum-security prison located about 30 km north of central Beijing, whose inmates include former high-level officials convicted of corruption秦城監獄
断狱duànyùto pass judgment on a legal case斷獄
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 狱
What does 监狱 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 狱
It is pronounced as 'yù', with a falling tone.
Common phrases include 监狱 (jiān yù - prison) and 法院案件 (fǎyuàn ànjiàn - court case) which relate to legal contexts.
Yes, 狱 is a broader term for prison or jail, while 监狱 specifically refers to a correctional facility.
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