Meanings of 呦
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About 呦
Podcast: 呦
Podcast: 呦
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AI study notes for 呦
This character is informal and primarily used in literary or playful contexts. Learners should avoid using it in formal writing or speech. It's commonly paired with itself in the phrase 呦呦, which emphasizes the sound.
Although 呦 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it offers an interesting example of sound symbolism in Chinese. Students at this level should focus on recognizing how sound and meaning can interplay in language.
Learners might confuse 呦 with similar-sounding characters or use it inappropriately in formal contexts. For example, saying '我呦喜欢这个' (I yōu like this) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个' (I like this).
Pronunciation of 呦
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Learning Lab
Knowing 呦 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.
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Etymology of 呦
mouth
Origin
呦 = 口 + 幼. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 呦
Parts
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How to say the sound of a deer bleating in Chinese
“the sound of a deer bleating” in Chinese is呦
The character 呦 (yōu) represents an exclamatory sound, often associated with the call of a deer or used to express surprise or dismay. It can be used in phrases such as 呦呦 (yōu yōu), which mimics the sound made by deer. Although it is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can be found in literary contexts or expressions.
When to use 呦
This character is informal and primarily used in literary or playful contexts. Learners should avoid using it in formal writing or speech. It's commonly paired with itself in the phrase 呦呦, which emphasizes the sound.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 呦 with similar-sounding characters or use it inappropriately in formal contexts. For example, saying '我呦喜欢这个' (I yōu like this) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个' (I like this).
Write 呦
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Practice writing 呦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 呦
呦 functions as an interjection — a standalone exclamation. It typically opens the sentence (啊！哎呀！) and is set off by a pause or comma. 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.
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克鲁德: 什么? 我们会渴死的. 哎____!
C: What? We are gonna die of thirst. Oh no!
Example sentences for 呦 (2)
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Word Family of 呦
Frequently asked questions about 呦
It is an exclamatory sound often associated with the bleating of a deer.
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