Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
钮(鈕)niǔ(Niu3)
The character 钮 (niǔ) primarily means 'button' or 'knob', often referring to small, round fixtures used for fastening clothing or operating machinery. Additionally, it is a surname, Niu, which is less commonly encountered in everyday usage. In contexts, it can signify both physical objects and metaphorical buttons that initiate actions.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#12945DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese clothing, buttons often have significant cultural meanings, with specific styles representing different social statuses or occasions. 钮 is commonly found in discussions about fashion, reflecting both functionality and aesthetics in Chinese garments.
Memory tip
Imagine a round button (钮) that you press to start a machine. The character itself has a metal radical (钅) on the left, suggesting something metallic or functional, while the right side looks like a hand pushing a knob down, linking the pronunciation 'niǔ' with the action of pushing.
Meanings of 钮
niǔ(Niu3)
1button, knob; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 钮 means.
About 钮
钮Simplified
鈕Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 钮
Podcast: 钮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 钮
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 钮 with similar characters like 扭 (niǔ), which means 'to twist'. Use 钮 in contexts involving buttons, knobs, or mechanical features. It's generally neutral in register, but avoid using it in overly formal writing where specific terms for buttons or mechanisms might be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
Although 钮 is not on the HSK list, learners should connect it to related vocabulary involving clothing or mechanisms, such as 按钮 (ànniǔ - button) and 扭 (niǔ - to twist). Focus on recognizing its usage in everyday contexts to enhance vocabulary retention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钮 with 扭, leading to incorrect phrases like 钮动 (niǔ dòng) instead of the correct 扭动 (niǔ dòng) which means 'to twist'. Ensure you distinguish their meanings clearly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钮
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 钮, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 钮 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 钮?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 钮 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.
钮 = 钅 + 丑. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 钮
IDS Structure⿰钅丑
钮Full character
=
钅jin1
left
丑Chou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 钮?
How to say surname Niu in Chinese
“surname Niu” in Chinese is钮niǔ
The character 钮 (niǔ) primarily means 'button' or 'knob', often referring to small, round fixtures used for fastening clothing or operating machinery. Additionally, it is a surname, Niu, which is less commonly encountered in everyday usage. In contexts, it can signify both physical objects and metaphorical buttons that initiate actions.
When to use 钮
Common mistakes include confusing 钮 with similar characters like 扭 (niǔ), which means 'to twist'. Use 钮 in contexts involving buttons, knobs, or mechanical features. It's generally neutral in register, but avoid using it in overly formal writing where specific terms for buttons or mechanisms might be preferred.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 钮 with 扭, leading to incorrect phrases like 钮动 (niǔ dòng) instead of the correct 扭动 (niǔ dòng) which means 'to twist'. Ensure you distinguish their meanings clearly.
Write 钮
钮
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 钮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 钮
钮 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
自动曝光按____安装在镜头脱卸按钮下面，十分不便。
The autoexposure button is awkwardly placed under the lens release button.
