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釉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yòuenamel, glazen, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #33969, Very Hard
yòuglaze (of porcelain)unknown, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #33969, Very Hard
yòu(you4) T4
  1. 1enamel, glaze
  2. 2glaze (of porcelain)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

yòu(you4)

The character 釉 (yòu) refers to a type of glaze used in ceramics, particularly enamel that adds a glossy finish to pottery. It is commonly used in the context of porcelain and ceramics manufacturing, where it serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#33969DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Glazing is a significant aspect of Chinese ceramics, particularly in historic pottery styles such as Ming and Qing dynasty pieces, which often feature intricate glazes that enhance both beauty and durability.

Memory Tip

Imagine a shiny, colorful coat of paint on a beautiful piece of porcelain. The character 釉 combines the radical for 'metal' (金) on the left, signifying its connection to the materials used in glazes, with the character 'you' (有) suggesting the presence of this glossy finish.

Meanings of 釉

yòu(you4)
1enamel, glaze
2glaze (of porcelain)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 釉

Simplified
12Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 釉

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 釉

Quick Contrast

釉 (glaze) vs 涂料 (coating) — use 釉 specifically for ceramic glazes, while 涂料 refers to a broader category of coatings used in various applications.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a shiny, colorful coat of paint on a beautiful piece of porcelain. The character 釉 combines the radical for 'metal' (金) on the left, signifying its connection to the materials used in glazes, with the character 'you' (有) suggesting the presence of this glossy finish.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 釉, as it is typically used in artistic or manufacturing discussions. It's often paired with words like 瓷 (cí, porcelain) and can have formal connotations in professional settings.

HSK Study Tips

While 釉 is not on the HSK list, learners should connect it to related vocabulary in ceramics and art, such as 瓷 (cí, porcelain) and 陶 (táo, pottery). Focus on pronunciation and usage in specific contexts.

Cultural Note

Glazing is a significant aspect of Chinese ceramics, particularly in historic pottery styles such as Ming and Qing dynasty pieces, which often feature intricate glazes that enhance both beauty and durability.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 釉 with other similar characters like 油 (yóu, oil) due to pronunciation. Remember that 釉 specifically relates to glazing and not to oil or other substances.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 釉

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Etymology of 釉

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

Phonosemantic compound. 釆 represents the meaning and 由 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

collect

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 釉?

Decomposition of 釉

IDS Structure⿰釆由
Full Character
=
bian4
left
you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 釉?

Write 釉

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

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Grammar Patterns of 釉

釉 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 2 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

清理废弃的车间时发现了成千上万块意大利风格的____面砖。

The clearing out of disused workshops laid bare thousands of Italianate glazed tiles.

Example Sentences for 釉 (1)

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1
清理废弃的车间时发现了成千上万块意大利风格的釉面砖。

qīng lǐ fèi qì de chē jiān shí fā xiàn le chéng qiān shàng wàn kuài yì dà lì fēng gé de yòu miàn zhuān。

The clearing out of disused workshops laid bare thousands of Italianate glazed tiles.

Cultural Notes for 釉

🏮Cultural insight

Glazing is a significant aspect of Chinese ceramics, particularly in historic pottery styles such as Ming and Qing dynasty pieces, which often feature intricate glazes that enhance both beauty and durability.

Word Family of 釉

Words Containing This Character3
yòuglaze (of porcelain)
牙釉质tooth enamel牙釉質
青釉celadon, classic Chinese style of ceramic glaze
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 釉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 釉

釉 refers specifically to the glaze applied on ceramics, while 瓷 refers to the porcelain itself.