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March 24, 2026
犹(猶)yóu(you2)
The character 犹 (yóu) conveys the meaning of similarity or comparison, often translated as 'as if' or 'just like.' It is commonly used to express a resemblance or similarity between two things or situations, often implying a sense of ongoingness, such as 'still' or 'yet.'
Strokes7Radical犭Frequency#10470DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In classical Chinese literature and poetry, 犹 is frequently used to create vivid imagery and metaphorical comparisons, reflecting the importance of nature and human emotions in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dog (犭, the radical for animals) that looks like another dog, as if they were twins. The character 犹 has the radical for animals, which helps you remember its meaning related to likeness and similarity.
Meanings of 犹
yóu(you2)
1as if
2(just) like
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 犹
犹Simplified
猶Traditional
7Strokes
犭Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#10470Frequency Rank
Podcast: 犹
Podcast: 犹
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AI Study Notes for 犹
Quick Contrast
犹 (yóu) vs 如 (rú) — use 犹 when emphasizing an ongoing similarity or comparison, while 如 is more straightforward for stating equivalence or similarity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dog (犭, the radical for animals) that looks like another dog, as if they were twins. The character 犹 has the radical for animals, which helps you remember its meaning related to likeness and similarity.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 犹 with similar characters like 由 (yóu), which means 'from' or 'by.' Typically used in both formal and informal contexts, 犹 often appears in literary or poetic language. It's often paired with words like '如' (rú, like) for emphasis.
HSK Study Tips
While 犹 is not currently in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with Level 4 words related to comparisons, such as 像 (xiàng, to resemble). Students should focus on understanding its use in complex sentences that compare situations or objects.
Cultural Note
In classical Chinese literature and poetry, 犹 is frequently used to create vivid imagery and metaphorical comparisons, reflecting the importance of nature and human emotions in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 犹 with the character 由 (yóu) due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '他由如一只鸟' instead of '他犹如一只鸟' is incorrect; the correct form uses 犹 for comparison.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 犹
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六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 尤 represents the sound. Simplified form of 猶. Based on the original meaning "type of monkey". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
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Grammar Patterns of 犹
犹 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 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.
In 1990, 200,000 Soviet Jews resettled on Israeli territory.
10
安东尼和那个犹太男孩合住在集市附近一所不坏的但却摇摇欲坠的房子里.
ān dōng ní hé nà gè yóu tài nán hái hé zhù zài jí shì fù jìn yī suǒ bù huài de dàn què yáo yáo yù zhuì de fáng zǐ lǐ.
Anthony and the Jew boy shared a very nice , tumble - down house near the bazaars.
Cultural Notes for 犹
🏮Cultural insight
In classical Chinese literature and poetry, 犹 is frequently used to create vivid imagery and metaphorical comparisons, reflecting the importance of nature and human emotions in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 犹
Compounds1
莸you2Caryopteris divaricata
Words Containing This Character20
犹太人Jew猶太人
犹豫yóuyùto hesitate猶豫
犹太Jew猶太
犹如yóurúsimilar to猶如
犹yóuas if猶
毫不犹豫háobùyóuyùwithout the slightest hesitation毫不猶豫
犹豫不决yóuyùbùjuéhesitancy猶豫不決
记忆犹新jìyìyóuxīnto remain fresh in one's memory (idiom)記憶猶新
犹大Judas猶大
犹太教Judaism猶太教
犹他州Utah猶他州
意犹未尽to wish to continue sth意猶未盡
犹他Utah猶他
犹疑to hesitate猶疑
犹自yet猶自
过犹不及too far is as bad as not enough (idiom, from the Analects)過猶不及
犹太复国主义Zionism猶太復國主義
虽败犹荣honorable even in defeat (idiom)雖敗猶榮
风韵犹存(of an aging woman) still attractive風韻猶存
言犹在耳words still ringing in one's ears (idiom)言猶在耳
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 莸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 犹
Yes, 犹 (yóu) is used in everyday conversation, especially in literary or formal contexts. While it may not be as common in casual speech, it can still be found in discussions where comparisons are being made. Understanding its usage can enhance your comprehension of more complex sentences in Chinese.
You can use 犹 (yóu) in sentences to convey comparisons or ongoing states. For instance, you might say, '他犹如一位艺术家' (Tā yóu rú yī wèi yìshùjiā), which translates to 'He is just like an artist.' This illustrates how to use 犹 to draw a comparison. Another example is '事情犹未解决' (Shìqíng yóu wèi jiějué), meaning 'The matter is still unresolved.'
犹 (yóu) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'as if', 'just like', 'still', and 'yet'. It is often used to indicate similarity or to describe a situation that resembles another. For example, you might use it to express that something is still ongoing or to draw a comparison between two situations.
You can say '他犹如一只鸟' (tā yóu rú yī zhī niǎo) meaning 'He is just like a bird.'
It's more commonly found in written and literary contexts rather than everyday spoken language.
Yes, 犹 can be used in both contexts, depending on what is being compared.
