Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
臾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
臾yúmoment, instant, short whilex, 8 strokes, radical 臼
臾yúlittle whileunknown, 8 strokes, radical 臼
臾yúsurname Yuunknown, 8 strokes, radical 臼
yú(Yu2) T2
  1. 1moment, instant, short while
  2. 2little while
Also a Chinese surname, Yu — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

臾yú(Yu2)

The character 臾 (yú) refers to a very short period of time, akin to a moment or instant. It can also be used as a surname. It is often found in literary contexts or discussions emphasizing brevity in time.

Strokes8Radical臼
Cultural Note

The concept of fleeting moments is significant in Chinese poetry and philosophy, often reflecting the transient nature of life, as seen in works by poets like Li Bai. The use of 臾 in literature evokes deep reflections on time.

Memory Tip

Imagine the character 臾 as a clock with minute hands moving subtly, symbolizing a fleeting moment in time. The left part (臣) resembles a person waiting for time to pass, while the right part (尤) suggests something small, capturing the essence of a brief instant.

Meanings of 臾

yú(Yu2)
1moment, instant, short while
2little while
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 臾

臾Simplified
8Strokes
臼Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 臾

JasonAmy

Podcast: 臾

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 臾

Usage Notes

Learners should be aware that 臾 is quite formal and not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is often paired with words like '时刻' (shíkè, moment) or '片刻' (piànkè, short while). Be cautious with the tone, as mispronunciation may confuse its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Though 臾 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to time, like '时间' (shíjiān, time) and '瞬间' (shùnjiān, instant). Focus on understanding context and usage in literary texts to enrich vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 臾 with similar-sounding words like '余' (yú, surplus). For example, saying '我有一臾' instead of '我有一余' (I have a surplus) could lead to misunderstanding. Always clarify the context when using 臾.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 臾

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 臾 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 臾

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 臾

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

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

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.

Decomposition of 臾

IDS Structure⿻臼人
臾Full Character
=
臼jiu4
outer
人ren2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 臾?

How to say moment, instant, short while in Chinese

“moment, instant, short while” in Chinese is臾yú

The character 臾 (yú) refers to a very short period of time, akin to a moment or instant. It can also be used as a surname. It is often found in literary contexts or discussions emphasizing brevity in time.

When to use 臾

Learners should be aware that 臾 is quite formal and not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is often paired with words like '时刻' (shíkè, moment) or '片刻' (piànkè, short while). Be cautious with the tone, as mispronunciation may confuse its meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 臾 with similar-sounding words like '余' (yú, surplus). For example, saying '我有一臾' instead of '我有一余' (I have a surplus) could lead to misunderstanding. Always clarify the context when using 臾.

Write 臾

臾

Practice writing 臾 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 臾

Words Containing This Character2
须臾in a flash須臾
臾yúa moment
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 须臾 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 臾

You can say '一瞬间,时间仿佛停滞了' (In a moment, time seemed to stand still), incorporating 臾 to express a brief moment.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 臾?

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.