Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
御 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
御yùto resistzg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
御yùimperialzg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
御yù(classical) to drive (a chariot)zg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
御yùto managezg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
御yùto governzg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
御yùto defendzg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
御yùchariot; to drive, to ride; to managezg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13199, Hard
yù(yu4) T4
  1. 1to resist
  2. 2imperial
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
御yù(yu4)

The character 御 (yù) primarily means 'to govern' or 'to manage,' but it also carries the sense of 'to resist' or 'to defend.' It is often used in historical or classical contexts, particularly related to imperial authority, such as managing a kingdom or riding a chariot. Additionally, it can imply control over something or someone.

Strokes12Radical彳Frequency#13199DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In ancient Chinese culture, the emperor was seen as the ultimate authority, with 御 embodying the concept of ruling and management. This character often appears in historical texts and discussions about governance, reflecting the importance of centralized power in Chinese history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a majestic emperor (御) riding a chariot, proudly managing his kingdom while resisting any threats. The character has a roof (宀) on top, symbolizing authority, while the lower part suggests movement. Picture the emperor driving his chariot under the protection of his roof.

Meanings of 御

yù(yu4)
1to resist
2imperial
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 御

御Simplified
12Strokes
彳Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#13199Frequency Rank

Podcast: 御

JasonAmy

Podcast: 御

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 御

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a majestic emperor (御) riding a chariot, proudly managing his kingdom while resisting any threats. The character has a roof (宀) on top, symbolizing authority, while the lower part suggests movement. Picture the emperor driving his chariot under the protection of his roof.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 御 with similar-sounding characters like 余 (yú), which means 'others.' In formal contexts, 御 is typically associated with governance or imperial matters, while in informal speech, it may not be as common. Pay attention to the tone; a mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 御 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes of authority and management found in HSK levels 4 and 5. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in literature or historical texts, as well as in phrases like '御驾' (yù jià), meaning 'imperial carriage.'

Cultural Note

In ancient Chinese culture, the emperor was seen as the ultimate authority, with 御 embodying the concept of ruling and management. This character often appears in historical texts and discussions about governance, reflecting the importance of centralized power in Chinese history.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly write 御 as 余, which has a completely different meaning. Remember that 御 relates to governance and authority, while 余 refers to 'others.' Another common error is mispronouncing the tone, which can change the meaning altogether.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 御

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 御 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 御

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

step

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 御?

Decomposition of 御

IDS Structure⿰彳卸
御Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
卸xie4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 御?

Write 御

御

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 御

御 carries 7 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 4

Complete the Sentence

我走出门，竖起衣领抵____冷雾。

I stepped outside and pulled up my collar against the cold mist.

Example Sentences for 御 (9)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我走出门，竖起衣领抵御冷雾。

wǒ zǒu chū mén， ， shù qǐ yī lǐng dǐ yù lěng。

I stepped outside and pulled up my collar against the cold mist.
2
军官们打算重新夺回该市的防御区。

jūn guān mén dǎ suàn zhòng xīn duó huí gāi shì de fáng yù qū。

Officers were going to retake sectors of the city.
3
这一起对毫无防御能力的孕妇的袭击，令人无比震惊。

zhè yī qǐ duì háo wú fáng yù néng lì de yùn fù de xí jī， ， líng rén wú bǐ zhèn。

This was a sickening attack on a pregnant and defenceless woman.
4
欧洲石器时期最大的土木防御工事位于威尔特郡的西尔布利山。

ōu zhōu shí qì shí qī zuì dà de tǔ mù fáng yù gōng shì wèi yú wēi ěr tè jùn de xī ěr bù lì shān。

Europe's biggest Stone Age earthworks are at Silbury Hill in Wiltshire.
5
就连最厚的夹克也不足以御寒.

jiù lián zuì hòu de jiā kè yě bù zú yǐ yù hán.

Not even the thickest jacket was enough to keep out the cold.
6
一件厚大衣足以御寒.

yī jiàn hòu dà yī zú yǐ yù hán.

A thick overcoat is a good defense against the cold.
7
他们在房屋周围堆沙袋以抵御洪水的侵袭。

tā mén zài fáng wū zhōu wéi duī shā dài yǐ dǐ yù hóng shuǐ de qīn xí。

They sandbagged their homes to keep out floods.
8
对于现代化坦克或飞机,亦无有效的防御方法.

duì yú xiàn dài huà tǎn kè huò fēi jī, , yì wú yǒu xiào de fáng yù fāng.

There was no dependable defense against a modern tank or plane.
9
甚至我们防御战的战绩亦充满着悲惨的失败.

shèn zhì wǒ mén fáng yù zhàn de zhàn jì yì chōng mǎn zháo bēi cǎn de shī bài.

Even our defensive record was tragically draped in defeats.

Cultural Notes for 御

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient Chinese culture, the emperor was seen as the ultimate authority, with 御 embodying the concept of ruling and management. This character often appears in historical texts and discussions about governance, reflecting the importance of centralized power in Chinese history.

Word Family of 御

Words Containing This Character19
防御fángyùdefense防禦
御yùto resist
抵御dǐyùto resist抵禦
御用imperial
御医imperial physician御醫
御寒to keep warm禦寒
御史imperial censor (formal title of a dynastic official)
驾御to drive駕御
防御性defensive (weapons)防禦性
防御工事fortification防禦工事
统御control統御
御敌enemy of the Emperor禦敵
守御to defend守禦
御驾亲征the emperor leads his troops into battle (idiom)御駕親征
御酒imperial wine
御手the emperor's hand
御宝imperial seal御寶
防御率earned run average (baseball)防禦率
御夫座Auriga (constellation)禦夫座
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 防御 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 御

While it is less common in everyday conversation, 御 appears in formal or historical contexts and is still relevant in discussions about governance.