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幺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
幺yāosurname Yaounknown, 3 strokes, radical 幺, rank #17837, Very Hard
幺yāoone; tiny, smallnr, 3 strokes, radical 幺, rank #17837, Very Hard
幺yāomost juniorunknown, 3 strokes, radical 幺, rank #17837, Very Hard
幺yāoone (unambiguous spoken form when spelling out numbers, esp. on telephone or in military)unknown, 3 strokes, radical 幺, rank #17837, Very Hard
幺yāoone or ace on dice or dominoesunknown, 3 strokes, radical 幺, rank #17837, Very Hard
yāo(Yao1)yao T1
  1. 1surname Yao
  2. 2one; tiny, small
Also a Chinese surname, Yao — see the Surname Dictionary
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March 24, 2026

幺(么)yāo(Yao1)

The character 幺 (yāo) primarily represents the concept of 'one' and conveys meanings of something small or tiny. It is often used in contexts requiring clarity, such as spelling out numbers or in military communication, where precision is crucial. Additionally, 幺 can serve as a surname and has applications in games like dice or dominoes.

Strokes3Radical幺Frequency#17837DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, games involving dice often rely on the clarity of numbers, making 幺 an important character in recreational settings. The emphasis on precision in communication, especially in military contexts, reflects broader cultural values of order and clarity.

Memory tip

Imagine a tiny little person standing alone, representing the number one. The character 幺 resembles a small figure with arms outstretched, emphasizing its meaning of 'small' or 'one'. Picture this little person shouting 'yāo' to get attention, linking the sound to the character.

Meanings of 幺

yāo(Yao1)
1one; tiny, small
2most junior
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 幺 means.

About 幺

幺Simplified
么Traditional
3Strokes
幺Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 幺

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Podcast: 幺

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AI study notes for 幺

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 幺 with similar-looking characters like 亻 (person) or 一 (one), as they have different meanings and usages. This character is often used in informal contexts, especially in games or casual conversations. When spelling out numbers, ensure you use 'yāo' for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Although 幺 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with basic numeral concepts and can be associated with other characters representing numbers. Focus on its pronunciation and usage in specific contexts like games or when clarity is needed in communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 幺 with 一 (yī), which also means 'one' but is used differently. For example, saying '我有幺本书' (I have one book) is incorrect; it should be '我有一本书'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 幺

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Etymology of 幺

Explanation

Pictograph of a single twisted thread.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 幺?

How to say surname Yao in Chinese

“surname Yao” in Chinese is幺yāo

The character 幺 (yāo) primarily represents the concept of 'one' and conveys meanings of something small or tiny. It is often used in contexts requiring clarity, such as spelling out numbers or in military communication, where precision is crucial. Additionally, 幺 can serve as a surname and has applications in games like dice or dominoes.

When to use 幺

Be careful not to confuse 幺 with similar-looking characters like 亻 (person) or 一 (one), as they have different meanings and usages. This character is often used in informal contexts, especially in games or casual conversations. When spelling out numbers, ensure you use 'yāo' for clarity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 幺 with 一 (yī), which also means 'one' but is used differently. For example, saying '我有幺本书' (I have one book) is incorrect; it should be '我有一本书'.

Write 幺

幺

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

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Word Family of 幺

Words containing this character3
幺yāoyoungest么
老幺youngest老么
幺麽小丑insignificant wretch么麼小醜
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 幺

What does 老幺 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 幺

It primarily means 'one' but can also denote something small or be used in games like dice.

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