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囿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
囿yòuto limit, to constrain; pen, cellvg, 9 strokes, radical 囗
囿yòuparkunknown, 9 strokes, radical 囗
囿yòube limited tounknown, 9 strokes, radical 囗
yòu(you4)you T4
  1. 1to limit, to constrain; pen, cell
  2. 2park
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March 24, 2026

囿yòu(you4)

The character 囿 (yòu) means to limit or constrain, often referring to restrictions within a defined space. It can also denote a park or enclosure, emphasizing the idea of being confined to a specific area. This character is commonly used in contexts where boundaries or limitations are discussed.

Strokes9Radical囗
Cultural note

In ancient China, enclosed parks or gardens were often places of leisure for the elite, highlighting the importance of nature in their lives. The concept of confinement in these spaces reflects traditional values of harmony with nature.

Memory tip

Imagine a small, enclosed park where the boundaries are marked by a fence. The shape of the character 园 resembles a fence, while the sound 'yòu' can remind you of 'you' feeling trapped inside this limited space. Visualizing yourself in this park can help you remember the meaning of being confined.

Meanings of 囿

yòu(you4)
1to limit, to constrain; pen, cell
2park
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 囿

囿Simplified
9Strokes
囗Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 囿

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AI Study Notes for 囿

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 囿 with similar-looking characters, as they may have different meanings. This term is more formal and is often used in literary or academic contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 囿于 (yòuyú), meaning 'to be limited to'.

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in the official HSK levels, 囿 can be related to other words concerning boundaries or limits, such as 限制 (xiànzhì, to restrict). Focus on understanding its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts, as this will enhance comprehension of related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 囿 with the character 园 (yuán), which means garden or park, leading to misunderstandings about context. Remember that 囿 emphasizes limitation, while 园 emphasizes the space itself.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 囿

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Etymology of 囿

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

enclosure

Semantic (meaning)囗
+
Phonetic (sound)有
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

囿 = 囗 + 有. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 囿

IDS Structure⿴囗有
囿Full character
=
囗wei2
enclosing
有you3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 囿?

How to say to limit, to constrain; pen, cell in Chinese

“to limit, to constrain; pen, cell” in Chinese is囿yòu

The character 囿 (yòu) means to limit or constrain, often referring to restrictions within a defined space. It can also denote a park or enclosure, emphasizing the idea of being confined to a specific area. This character is commonly used in contexts where boundaries or limitations are discussed.

When to use 囿

Be careful not to confuse 囿 with similar-looking characters, as they may have different meanings. This term is more formal and is often used in literary or academic contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 囿于 (yòuyú), meaning 'to be limited to'.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 囿 with the character 园 (yuán), which means garden or park, leading to misunderstandings about context. Remember that 囿 emphasizes limitation, while 园 emphasizes the space itself.

Write 囿

囿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 囿

囿 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我们的生活____于工作、家庭和电视中。

Our lives are bounded by work, family and television.

Example Sentences for 囿 (1)

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1
我们的生活囿于工作、家庭和电视中。

wǒmen de shēnghuó yòu yú gōngzuò、 jiātíng hé diànshì zhōng。

Our lives are bounded by work, family and television.

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Word Family of 囿

Words containing this character1
囿yòupark

Frequently Asked Questions about 囿

In everyday conversations, 囿 is less commonly used; however, it can appear when discussing restrictions or defined spaces.

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