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March 24, 2026
邮(郵)yóu(you2)
邮 (yóu) refers to mail or postal services, commonly used in the context of sending letters or packages. It can also denote a post office where these services are offered. This character is essential for discussing communication and logistics in modern life.
Strokes7Radical阝Frequency#5958DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, sending mail is often accompanied by additional services such as EMS (Express Mail Service), which emphasizes speed and reliability. The postal system reflects the rapid modernization and urbanization of Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a letter being sealed with a postmark (邮) and flying through the air. The character has a radical that looks like the roof of a post office, suggesting a place where mail is processed. The pronunciation 'yóu' sounds like 'yo!' as you wave goodbye to your letter as it heads off.
Meanings of 邮
yóu(you2)
1post (office)
2mail
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 邮
邮Simplified
郵Traditional
7Strokes
阝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5958Frequency Rank
Podcast: 邮
Podcast: 邮
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AI Study Notes for 邮
Quick Contrast
邮 (mail) vs 信 (letter) — use 邮 when referring to postal services or systems, while 信 specifically denotes a letter or message.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a letter being sealed with a postmark (邮) and flying through the air. The character has a radical that looks like the roof of a post office, suggesting a place where mail is processed. The pronunciation 'yóu' sounds like 'yo!' as you wave goodbye to your letter as it heads off.
Usage Notes
When using 邮, it's important to note that it often combines with other characters (e.g., 邮件 for 'mail' or 'parcel'). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is generally neutral. Be careful with the tone: 'yóu' (with a rising tone) is correct, while 'yǒu' (with a falling tone) means 'to have,' which is a common mistake.
HSK Study Tips
While 邮 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with related terms like 邮件 (mail) and 邮局 (post office), which are useful for learners at HSK level 3 and above. Students should focus on combining this character with others to expand their vocabulary related to communication.
Cultural Note
In China, sending mail is often accompanied by additional services such as EMS (Express Mail Service), which emphasizes speed and reliability. The postal system reflects the rapid modernization and urbanization of Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 邮 with 友 (yǒu), which means 'friend.' An incorrect sentence might be: '我去邮的家.' (I go to the post's house.) The correct phrasing should be: '我去邮局.' (I go to the post office.)
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 邮
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Grammar Patterns of 邮
邮 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.
An e-mail is already circulating amongst news staff calling for voluntary redundancies.
10
如有任何疑问，就给我发邮件。
rú yǒu rèn hé yí wèn， ， jiù gěi wǒ fā yóu。
If you have any problems then send me some mail.
Cultural Notes for 邮
💡Did you know?
在中国，邮局不仅仅是邮政服务的地方，也是许多人办理日常事务的场所，如缴费和购买邮票。
🏮Cultural insight
In China, sending mail is often accompanied by additional services such as EMS (Express Mail Service), which emphasizes speed and reliability. The postal system reflects the rapid modernization and urbanization of Chinese society.
Word Family of 邮
Words Containing This Character20
邮件yóujiànmail郵件
邮yóumail郵
邮箱yóuxiāngmailbox郵箱
邮政yóuzhèngpostal郵政
邮票yóupiào(postage) stamp郵票
邮局yóujúpost office郵局
邮轮ocean liner郵輪
电子邮件diànzǐyóujiànemail電子郵件
邮寄to mail郵寄
邮差(old) postman郵差
邮递员mailman郵遞員
邮编yóubiānpostal code郵編
邮电post and telecommunications郵電
邮报Post (in the name of a newspaper)郵報
邮戳postmark郵戳
邮购mail order郵購
邮政编码postal code郵政編碼
集邮jíyóuphilately集郵
邮政局post office郵政局
华盛顿邮报Washington Post (newspaper)華盛頓郵報
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 邮件 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 邮
While 邮 (yóu) itself is not commonly found in traditional idioms, it plays an essential role in phrases related to communication and sending messages, reflecting its importance in daily life.
Common words that include 邮 are 邮局 (yóujú, post office) and 邮件 (yóujiàn, mail or package). These terms are frequently used in everyday conversations about sending and receiving mail.
邮 (yóu) means 'post' or 'mail' in Chinese. It is commonly used in words related to postal services, such as 邮局 (yóujú), which means 'post office'.
You can use 邮 (yóu) in sentences to refer to mailing something or the post office. For example, '我去邮局寄信' (Wǒ qù yóujú jì xìn) means 'I am going to the post office to mail a letter.'
The term for 'post office' in Chinese is 邮局 (yóu jú).
You can combine 邮 with 递 (dì) to form 邮递 (yóu dì), meaning 'to deliver mail.'
Yes, 邮 is commonly used in both written and spoken contexts, especially when discussing sending letters or packages.
