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薛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
薛xuēsurname Xueunknown, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15417, Very Hard
薛xuēwormwood, marsh grass; a feudal statenr, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15417, Very Hard
薛xuēvassal state during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15417, Very Hard
xuē(Xue1)xue T1
  1. 1surname Xue
  2. 2wormwood, marsh grass; a feudal state
Also a Chinese surname, Xuē — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

薛xuē(Xue1)

The character 薛 (xuē) primarily refers to wormwood or marsh grass, plants often found in wetland areas. It is also used as a surname in China and historically represents a vassal state during the Zhou Dynasty, indicating its significance in ancient Chinese history.

Strokes16Radical艹Frequency#15417DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The character 薛 relates to the historical state of 薛 in ancient China, which played a role during the Zhou Dynasty, illustrating the feudal system in place at the time.

Memory Tip

Imagine a marsh filled with tall grasses, where the 'X' in 'Xue' looks like a person with arms reaching up to the sky. This visual connects the character's form to its meaning as grass and its historical importance.

Meanings of 薛

xuē(Xue1)
1wormwood, marsh grass; a feudal state
2vassal state during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 薛

薛Simplified
16Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 薛

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Podcast: 薛

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AI Study Notes for 薛

Usage Notes

When using 薛 as a surname, it is important to note that it is less common than other surnames, so context is key. Be careful with its pronunciation, ensuring to maintain the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 薛 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial to recognize it alongside other surnames and historical terms at the same level. Focus on understanding its context in Chinese history to enhance your cultural knowledge.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 薛 with similar-sounding names, such as 许 (xǔ). A common mistake is to pronounce 薛 with a falling tone (xuè) instead of the correct high tone (xuē).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 薛

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Jason Explains 薛 to You

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Etymology of 薛

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A kind of bitter 辛 grass 艹

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 薛?

Decomposition of 薛

IDS Structure⿱艹⿰⿱丿㠯辛
薛Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
丿pie3
top
㠯yi3
bottom
辛Xin1
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 薛?

How to say surname Xue in Chinese

“surname Xue” in Chinese is薛xuē

The character 薛 (xuē) primarily refers to wormwood or marsh grass, plants often found in wetland areas. It is also used as a surname in China and historically represents a vassal state during the Zhou Dynasty, indicating its significance in ancient Chinese history.

When to use 薛

When using 薛 as a surname, it is important to note that it is less common than other surnames, so context is key. Be careful with its pronunciation, ensuring to maintain the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 薛 with similar-sounding names, such as 许 (xǔ). A common mistake is to pronounce 薛 with a falling tone (xuè) instead of the correct high tone (xuē).

Write 薛

薛

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

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Grammar Patterns of 薛

薛 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

从此后____家母子就在梨香院住了.

So Aunt Xue and her children moved into Pear Fragrance Court.

Example Sentences for 薛 (2)

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1
从此后薛家母子就在梨香院住了.

cóng cǐ hòu xuē jiā mǔ zǐ jiù zài lí xiāng yuàn zhù le.

So Aunt Xue and her children moved into Pear Fragrance Court.
2
1962年, 薛亚萍经陈少霖引荐拜张君秋大师.

1962 1962, nián , xuē yà píng jīng chén shǎo lín yǐn jiàn bài zhāng jūn qiū.

In 1962, Yaping introduced by Chen Shaolin Master Zhang Junqiu al.

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Word Family of 薛

Words Containing This Character7
薛xuēsurname Xue
薛宝钗Xue Baochai, female character in Dream of Red Mansions, married to Jia Baoyu 賈寶玉|贾宝玉薛寶釵
薛仁贵Xue Rengui (614-683) great Tang dynasty general薛仁貴
薛福成Xue Fucheng (1838-1894), Qing official and progressive political theorist
薛城Xuecheng district of Zaozhuang city 棗莊市|枣庄市[Zǎo​zhuāng​shì], Shandong
薛城区Xuecheng district of Zaozhuang city 棗莊市|枣庄市[Zǎo​zhuāng​shì], Shandong薛城區
薛居正Xue Juzheng (912-981), Song historian and compiler of History of the Five Dynasties between Tang and Song 舊五代史|旧五代史
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 薛

What does 薛宝钗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 薛

It means wormwood or marsh grass, and it is also a surname.

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