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March 24, 2026
宵xiāo(xiao1)
The character 宵 (xiāo) refers to the night or evening, often associated with darkness and the time when most people rest. It is commonly used in expressions related to late hours and can describe both the physical absence of light and the cultural significance of night-time activities or events.
Strokes10Radical宀Frequency#13014DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 夜宵 (yè xiāo) or late-night snacks is a beloved tradition, particularly in urban areas where night markets buzz with activity. This showcases the social aspect of gathering and dining even after dark.
Memory Tip
Imagine the character 宵 as a cozy house (宵) where the night (xiāo) brings peace and rest. The roof (宀) symbolizes shelter under which people find comfort during the dark hours, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 宵
xiāo(xiao1)
1night
2night, evening, darkness
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 宵
宵Simplified
10Strokes
宀Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#13014Frequency Rank
Podcast: 宵
Podcast: 宵
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AI Study Notes for 宵
Quick Contrast
夜 (yè) - use 宵 for cultural or poetic references to night, while 夜 is more general and everyday.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the character 宵 as a cozy house (宵) where the night (xiāo) brings peace and rest. The roof (宀) symbolizes shelter under which people find comfort during the dark hours, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 宵; it should be pronounced with a high level tone (xiāo). It is often found in phrases like '宵夜' (xiāo yè), meaning late-night snack, which is popular in Chinese culture. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 宵 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects well with other words related to time and daily activities at HSK Level 3, such as 昼 (zhòu, day) and 夜 (yè, night). Focus on using 宵 in context to enhance your understanding of time-related expressions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 夜宵 (yè xiāo) or late-night snacks is a beloved tradition, particularly in urban areas where night markets buzz with activity. This showcases the social aspect of gathering and dining even after dark.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宵 (xiāo) with 夜 (yè) when discussing night. For example, saying '晚上' (wǎn shang) for night can be correct, but using '宵' in contexts that require a specific nuance of night is essential. Ensure you're using 宵 in the right context to convey the evening atmosphere.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宵
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Grammar Patterns of 宵
宵 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
地方当局说____禁是一种预防措施。
The local administration says the curfew is a precautionary measure.
The local administration says the curfew is a precautionary measure.
2
他通宵埋头苦干以便做完专题研究.
tā tōng xiāo mái tóu kǔ gān yǐ biàn zuò wán zhuān tí yán jiū.
He plodded away all night at his project to get it finished.
3
他心里含蓄着春宵的情味, 而什么都不管.
tā xīn lǐ hán xù zháo chūn xiāo de qíng wèi, , ér shí mó dū bù.
The freshness of spring evenings was in him, and he did not care.
4
我一向喜欢与家人共度冬宵.
wǒ yī xiàng xǐ huān yǔ jiā rén gòng dù dōng xiāo.
I always enjoy winter evenings spent en famille.
Cultural Notes for 宵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 夜宵 (yè xiāo) or late-night snacks is a beloved tradition, particularly in urban areas where night markets buzz with activity. This showcases the social aspect of gathering and dining even after dark.
Word Family of 宵
Words Containing This Character11
通宵tōngxiāoall night
宵禁night curfew
宵夜midnight snack
宵xiāonight
夜宵midnight snack
元宵Lantern Festival
元宵节yuánxiāojiéLantern Festival, the final event of the Spring Festival 春節|春节, on 15th of first month of the lunar calendar元宵節
通宵达旦day and night通宵達旦
打通宵to spend the whole night
宵衣旰食diligently attending to official matters
良宵美景fine evening, beautiful scenery (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 通宵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 宵
You can say '今夜很冷，适合在家里过宵' (Tonight is very cold, suitable for staying at home for the night).
Common phrases include '宵夜' (xiāo yè, late-night snack) and '宵禁' (xiāo jìn, curfew).
Yes, 宵 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in literature or poetry to evoke imagery related to the night.
