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鈾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yóuuraniumx, 13 strokes, radical 釒, Very Hard
yóu(you2) T2
  1. 1uranium
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
yóu(you2)

鈾 (yóu) refers to uranium, a radioactive element that has significant applications in nuclear energy and weaponry. It is primarily used in power generation and is a subject of international regulations due to its potential for both energy production and nuclear proliferation.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Uranium is significant in China’s energy policy, especially as the country invests in nuclear power to address its growing energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. This reflects China's approach to balancing economic growth with environmental concerns.

Memory Tip

Think of 鈾 as a 'yow' (sounds like 'yóu') moment when you realize that uranium is a heavy metal, represented by the metal radical 鈿 (which resembles a shiny, heavy object) combined with the character for 'to swim' '游'. Imagine a heavy swimmer diving into an energy pool, representing uranium’s role in nuclear energy.

Meanings of 鈾

yóu(you2)
1uranium
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鈾

Simplified
13Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鈾

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AI Study Notes for 鈾

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 鈾 as a 'yow' (sounds like 'yóu') moment when you realize that uranium is a heavy metal, represented by the metal radical 鈿 (which resembles a shiny, heavy object) combined with the character for 'to swim' '游'. Imagine a heavy swimmer diving into an energy pool, representing uranium’s role in nuclear energy.

Usage Notes

While discussing uranium, ensure you use the correct context, as it can refer to both the element and its various applications. In formal discussions, especially regarding nuclear energy, it's essential to use the term with precise technical language to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鈾 is not included in the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to advanced scientific terms and discussions. Students at higher levels should focus on related vocabulary in nuclear science and environmental discussions.

Cultural Note

Uranium is significant in China’s energy policy, especially as the country invests in nuclear power to address its growing energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. This reflects China's approach to balancing economic growth with environmental concerns.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 鈾 with other similar characters, leading to incorrect meanings or contexts. For instance, saying '鈾' when referring to gold (金) would be incorrect; always ensure you're discussing the right element.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鈾

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Etymology of 鈾

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 由 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈾.

Memory Hint

metal

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 鈾?

Decomposition of 鈾

IDS Structure⿰釒由
Full Character
=
jin1
left
you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鈾?

Write 鈾

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

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Cultural Notes for 鈾

🏮Cultural insight

Uranium is significant in China’s energy policy, especially as the country invests in nuclear power to address its growing energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. This reflects China's approach to balancing economic growth with environmental concerns.

Word Family of 鈾

Words Containing This Character3
yóuTaiwan pr. [yòu]
浓缩铀enriched uranium濃縮鈾
沥青铀矿pitchblende (uranium ore)瀝青鈾礦
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 铀 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鈾

Uranium is crucial for China’s nuclear energy program, aimed at providing a cleaner energy source and reducing reliance on coal.