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窈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yǎoobscure, secluded; quiet, refinedHSK 7, a, 10 strokes, radical 穴, Very Hard
yǎodeepHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 穴, Very Hard
yǎoquiet and elegantHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 穴, Very Hard
yǎo(yao3) T3
  1. 1obscure, secluded; quiet, refined
  2. 2deep
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
yǎo(yao3)

The character 窈 (yǎo) conveys meanings of obscurity and seclusion, often associated with a quiet and refined nature. It can describe something deep and elegant, frequently used in literary contexts to evoke a sense of tranquility or depth in a scene or feeling.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, the term 窈 often symbolizes tranquility and deep emotions, reflecting the traditional appreciation for nature and subtlety in expression. It can also be found in idiomatic expressions that convey a sense of serene beauty.

Memory Tip

Imagine a deep, secluded valley (窈) where the echoes are soft and the atmosphere is refined. The character has a 'house' radical (穴) which suggests a hidden or enclosed space, hinting at the concept of something being deep and obscure.

Meanings of 窈

yǎo(yao3)
1obscure, secluded; quiet, refined
2deep
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 窈

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 窈

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AI Study Notes for 窈

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a deep, secluded valley (窈) where the echoes are soft and the atmosphere is refined. The character has a 'house' radical (穴) which suggests a hidden or enclosed space, hinting at the concept of something being deep and obscure.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 窈 with similar-sounding characters due to the subtlety in pronunciation. It typically appears in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation, so it's essential to recognize its formal register. Be mindful of using the correct tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

While 窈 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares nuances with other characters in the same level, such as 深 (shēn, deep) and 隐 (yǐn, hidden). Focus on understanding its use in literary contexts to enhance your reading comprehension skills.

Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, the term 窈 often symbolizes tranquility and deep emotions, reflecting the traditional appreciation for nature and subtlety in expression. It can also be found in idiomatic expressions that convey a sense of serene beauty.

Common Mistakes

Students may mistakenly pronounce 窈 as 'yào' instead of the correct 'yǎo', leading to confusion with other characters. Additionally, using it in casual conversation can be inappropriate, as it is more suited for formal or literary contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 窈

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Etymology of 窈

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

cave

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 窈?

Decomposition of 窈

IDS Structure⿱穴幼
Full Character
=
xue2
top
you4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 窈?

Write 窈

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 窈

窈 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

这些孩子当中,有的白晰圆胖, 有的黑而____窕.

Some of those children were fair and rounded, others dark and elf - like.

Example Sentences for 窈 (1)

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1
这些孩子当中,有的白晰圆胖, 有的黑而窈窕.

zhè xiē hái zǐ dāng zhōng, , yǒu de bái xī yuán, pàng , yǒu de hēi ér.

Some of those children were fair and rounded, others dark and elf - like.

Cultural Notes for 窈

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese poetry, the term 窈 often symbolizes tranquility and deep emotions, reflecting the traditional appreciation for nature and subtlety in expression. It can also be found in idiomatic expressions that convey a sense of serene beauty.

Word Family of 窈

Words Containing This Character2
窈窕a seductive woman
yǎodeep
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 窈窕 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 窈

You can use it in a phrase like '窈窕淑女' (yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ), which describes a graceful and refined woman.