Meanings of 羽
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 羽
Podcast: 羽
Podcast: 羽
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 羽
Imagine a bird soaring through the sky, its feathers (羽) glistening in the sunlight. The character looks like a bird's wing, with the top resembling the feathers and the bottom resembling the body. Remember, 'yǔ' sounds like 'you', as if you're saying 'you have wings!'
羽 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it typically appears in expressions related to nature or music. A common mistake is confusing it with other characters that sound similar; make sure to practice the pronunciation and tones to avoid this.
Although 羽 is not part of the official HSK levels, it's beneficial to connect it to other HSK words related to birds or nature. Focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in idiomatic expressions or songs.
In Chinese culture, feathers symbolize freedom and beauty, often depicted in poetry and art. The concept of flight and lightness associated with feathers also ties into traditional beliefs about spirituality and transcendence.
Learners often confuse 羽 (yǔ) with 友 (yǒu, 'friend') due to the similar pronunciation. Remember, 羽 relates to feathers, while 友 is about companionship.
Pronunciation of 羽
Drill the tone of 羽 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 羽
Pictograph of feathers.
Two feathers or wings
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 羽?
Decomposition of 羽
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 羽?
Write 羽
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 羽 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 羽
羽 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
Complete the Sentence
崖沙燕是一种褐____白腹的鸟。
The sand martin is a brown bird with white underneath.
Common Confusions with 羽
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "feather"?
Example Sentences for 羽 (10)
Cultural Notes for 羽
In Chinese culture, feathers symbolize freedom and beauty, often depicted in poetry and art. The concept of flight and lightness associated with feathers also ties into traditional beliefs about spirituality and transcendence.
Word Family of 羽
Compound Meaning
What does 翰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 羽
You can find more information about the character 羽 (yǔ) in online Chinese dictionaries and language learning resources. Websites like Pleco or HanziCraft provide detailed explanations and examples of usage.