Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
欤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
欤yúfinal particle indicating doubt, surprise, or a questiony, 7 strokes, radical 欠
欤yú(literary) (final particle similar to 吗[ma5], 呢[ne5] or 啊[a1])unknown, 7 strokes, radical 欠
yú(yu2) T2
  1. 1final particle indicating doubt, surprise, or a question
  2. 2(literary) (final particle similar to 吗[ma5], 呢[ne5] or 啊[a1])
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

欤(歟)yú(yu2)

The character 欤 (yú) is a final particle used in classical Chinese to indicate doubt, surprise, or to pose a question. It is similar in function to the more common modern particles 吗 (ma), 呢 (ne), or 啊 (a), but it carries a literary tone, making it suitable for poetry or formal writing.

Strokes7Radical欠
Cultural Note

The use of classical particles like 欤 can often be found in ancient Chinese poetry and texts, reflecting the rich literary tradition in Chinese culture. Understanding such particles provides insight into historical texts and classical literature.

Memory Tip

Imagine a curious cat (猫, māo) looking at a fish (鱼, yú) and expressing surprise with a raised eyebrow. The quirky shape of 欤 resembles a cat's tail curving around a fish, reminding you of the character's meaning of questioning or expressing doubt.

Meanings of 欤

yú(yu2)
1final particle indicating doubt, surprise, or a question
2(literary) (final particle similar to 吗[ma5], 呢[ne5] or 啊[a1])
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 欤

欤Simplified
歟Traditional
7Strokes
欠Radical
语气词yǔqìcímodal particle (mod.part.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 欤

JasonAmy

Podcast: 欤

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 欤

Usage Notes

While 欤 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it is important in literary texts and poetry. Learners might confuse it with modern particles; be aware that it conveys a more formal or archaic tone. Use it sparingly and in appropriate contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Though 欤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other final particles that indicate questions or emotions. Students should focus on understanding its literary use and the differences between classical and modern Chinese expressions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 欤 in informal settings, thinking it can replace modern question particles. For example, saying '你好吗?' (nǐ hǎo ma?) is correct, but replacing 吗 with 欤 would be inappropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 欤

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 欤 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 欤

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

lack

Semantic (meaning)欠
+
Phonetic (sound)与
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 欤

  1. 1The meaning half欠 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half与 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaylack
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 欤? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 欤?

Decomposition of 欤

IDS Structure⿰与欠
欤Full Character
=
与yu2
left
欠qian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 欤?

How to say final particle indicating doubt, surprise, or a question in Chinese

“final particle indicating doubt, surprise, or a question” in Chinese is欤yú

The character 欤 (yú) is a final particle used in classical Chinese to indicate doubt, surprise, or to pose a question. It is similar in function to the more common modern particles 吗 (ma), 呢 (ne), or 啊 (a), but it carries a literary tone, making it suitable for poetry or formal writing.

When to use 欤

While 欤 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it is important in literary texts and poetry. Learners might confuse it with modern particles; be aware that it conveys a more formal or archaic tone. Use it sparingly and in appropriate contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 欤 in informal settings, thinking it can replace modern question particles. For example, saying '你好吗?' (nǐ hǎo ma?) is correct, but replacing 吗 with 欤 would be inappropriate.

Write 欤

欤

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 欤

Words Containing This Character1
欤yú(literary) (final particle similar to 吗[ma], 呢[ne] or 啊[ā])歟
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 欤 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 欤

No, 欤 is typically reserved for literary or formal contexts and is not used in casual speech.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 欤?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.