Meanings of 雨
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About 雨
Podcast: 雨
Podcast: 雨
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AI Study Notes for 雨
雨 (yǔ, rain) vs 雪 (xuě, snow) — use 雨 for precipitation in liquid form, while 雪 refers specifically to frozen precipitation.
Imagine a cloud pouring down rain, represented by the character 雨 which looks like a cloud with drops falling beneath it. The sound 'yǔ' can be remembered by thinking of 'you' as you stand outside getting wet in the rain.
When using 雨, it’s important to note that it is often combined with other characters in weather expressions, such as 下雨 (xià yǔ) meaning 'to rain.' Avoid confusing it with 雪 (xuě) which means 'snow,' as both refer to different types of precipitation.
Although 雨 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is a fundamental character that students should recognize early on due to its frequency in daily conversation. Focus on its usage with verbs like 下 (xià) for 'to fall' to form common phrases related to weather.
In Chinese culture, rain is often symbolically associated with prosperity and growth, as it is essential for agriculture. Festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival include customs that celebrate rain and water.
Learners often confuse 雨 with related characters such as 雪 (snow) or 雷 (thunder). A common mistake is saying '下雷' (xià léi) instead of '下雨' (xià yǔ) to mean 'it is raining.' Always remember that 雨 specifically refers to rain.
Pronunciation of 雨
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Etymology of 雨
Pictograph of rain falling from a cloud.
Rain drops falling from a cloud 帀
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 雨?
Decomposition of 雨
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 雨?
Write 雨
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Practice writing 雨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 雨
雨 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 7 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.
Complete the Sentence
下____了！
It's raining!
Example Sentences for 雨 (10)
Cultural Notes for 雨
In Chinese culture, rain is often symbolically associated with prosperity and growth, as it is essential for agriculture. Festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival include customs that celebrate rain and water.
Word Family of 雨
Compound Meaning
What does 需 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 雨
You would say '下雨了' (xià yǔ le).