Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
纽(紐)niǔ(niu3)
The character 纽 (niǔ) primarily means 'to turn' or 'to twist,' and it can also refer to a 'knot' or 'button.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical manipulation, such as tying or fastening items, and in metaphorical senses related to connections or relationships.
Strokes7Radical纟Frequency#8872DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of tying knots can symbolize unity and connection, often seen in traditional crafts like knot tying (中国结), which have cultural significance in festivals and weddings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'new' button (纽 sounds like 'new') that you need to twist to fasten. Visualize twisting a knot to tighten it, where each turn makes it more secure, symbolizing how this character represents turning and tying.
Meanings of 纽
niǔ(niu3)
1to turn
2to wrench
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 纽 means.
About 纽
纽Simplified
紐Traditional
7Strokes
纟Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#8872Frequency Rank
Podcast: 纽
Podcast: 纽
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 纽
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as 纽 is pronounced with a falling-rising tone (ǔ), which can be confused with similar characters that have different meanings. It is often used in compound words, such as 纽扣 (niǔkòu), meaning 'button.' Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary might be expected.
HSK Study Tips
Although 纽 is not in the official HSK vocabulary list, it shares components with other characters at HSK levels 2 and 3. Focus on its usage in daily life contexts and compound words to strengthen vocabulary connections.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 纽 with similar-sounding characters like 牛 (niú), meaning 'cow.' For instance, saying '我想要一个牛扣' instead of '我想要一个纽扣' (I want a button) is a common error. Always remember that 纽 relates to turning and fastening.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 纽
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 纽 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 纽 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 纽?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 纽 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
纽 = 纟 + 丑. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 纽
IDS Structure⿰纟丑
纽Full Character
=
纟si1
left
丑Chou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 纽?
How to say to turn in Chinese
“to turn” in Chinese is纽niǔ
The character 纽 (niǔ) primarily means 'to turn' or 'to twist,' and it can also refer to a 'knot' or 'button.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical manipulation, such as tying or fastening items, and in metaphorical senses related to connections or relationships.
When to use 纽
Be cautious with the tone, as 纽 is pronounced with a falling-rising tone (ǔ), which can be confused with similar characters that have different meanings. It is often used in compound words, such as 纽扣 (niǔkòu), meaning 'button.' Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary might be expected.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 纽 with similar-sounding characters like 牛 (niú), meaning 'cow.' For instance, saying '我想要一个牛扣' instead of '我想要一个纽扣' (I want a button) is a common error. Always remember that 纽 relates to turning and fastening.
Write 纽
纽
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 纽 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 纽
纽 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他的继承人把这幅画卖给了伦敦艺术品经销商阿格____斯。
His heir sold the painting to the London art dealer Agnews.
Example Sentences for 纽 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他的继承人把这幅画卖给了伦敦艺术品经销商阿格纽斯。
tā de jì chéng rén bǎ zhè fú huà mài gěi le lún dūn yì shù pǐn jīng xiāo shāng ā gé niǔ sī。
His heir sold the painting to the London art dealer Agnews.
