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March 24, 2026
谣(謠)yáo(yao2)
The character 谣 (yáo) primarily refers to a type of popular ballad or folksong that is often passed down through generations. It can also denote a rumor or gossip that spreads among people. The context is often informal, relating to cultural expressions or social interactions.
Strokes12Radical讠Frequency#31025DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, folk songs (谣) often carry historical narratives or moral lessons, reflecting the values and experiences of the community. They play an essential role in festivals and celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of friends sitting around a fire, singing a catchy ballad (谣) while sharing rumors about the latest happenings in their village. The left part (言) suggests speaking, and the right part (遥) reminds you of the distant echoes of songs and stories that travel far.
Meanings of 谣
yáo(yao2)
1popular ballad
2rumor
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 谣 means.
About 谣
谣Simplified
謠Traditional
12Strokes
讠Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#31025Frequency Rank
Podcast: 谣
Podcast: 谣
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AI Study Notes for 谣
Quick Contrast
谣 (yáo, ballad) vs 传说 (chuánshuō, legend) — use 谣 for informal, cultural songs or gossip, while 传说 refers to more formal or mythological tales.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 谣 with 料 (liào), which means material or ingredient. This term is generally informal, so it's best used in casual conversation rather than formal writing. Be cautious with pronunciation, as a wrong tone can change its meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Since 谣 is not included in the HSK levels, focus on related words like 歌 (gē, song) and 谈 (tán, to talk) to expand your vocabulary. Understanding the cultural context will enhance your grasp of usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 谣 with a first or third tone, leading to confusion. For example, saying 'yāo' (first tone) changes the meaning entirely. Always use the second tone: 'yáo'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谣
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How Well Do You Know 谣?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 谣 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
谣 = 讠 + 䍃. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 谣
IDS Structure⿰讠䍃
谣Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
䍃you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 谣?
How to say popular ballad in Chinese
“popular ballad” in Chinese is谣yáo
The character 谣 (yáo) primarily refers to a type of popular ballad or folksong that is often passed down through generations. It can also denote a rumor or gossip that spreads among people. The context is often informal, relating to cultural expressions or social interactions.
When to use 谣
Common mistakes include confusing 谣 with 料 (liào), which means material or ingredient. This term is generally informal, so it's best used in casual conversation rather than formal writing. Be cautious with pronunciation, as a wrong tone can change its meaning entirely.
谣 or something close to it
谣 (yáo, ballad) vs 传说 (chuánshuō, legend) — use 谣 for informal, cultural songs or gossip, while 传说 refers to more formal or mythological tales.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 谣 with a first or third tone, leading to confusion. For example, saying 'yāo' (first tone) changes the meaning entirely. Always use the second tone: 'yáo'.
Write 谣
谣
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Grammar Patterns of 谣
谣 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
有关财务丑闻的____言接连不断地冒出来。
Rumours of financial scandals have come bubbling back to the surface.
Example Sentences for 谣 (10)
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1
有关财务丑闻的谣言接连不断地冒出来。
yǒu guān cái wù chǒu wén de yáo yán jiē lián bù duàn dì mào chū lái。
Rumours of financial scandals have come bubbling back to the surface.
2
我们的目的是要彻底击破围绕他的那些谣言。
wǒ mén de mù de shì yào chè dǐ jī pò wéi rào tā de nà xiē yáo yán。
Our intention was to demolish the rumours that have surrounded him.
3
据谣传，票卖到了300英镑。
jù yáo chuán， ， piào mài dào300 le 300。
Rumour has it that tickets were being sold for £
4
关于这件事正有一则恶意的谣言在流传。
guān yú zhè jiàn shì zhèng yǒu yī zé è yì de yáo yán zài liú chuán。
There's a nasty sort of rumour going around about it.
