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袖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
袖
xiù
sleeve
HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 衤, rank #13973, Hard
袖
xiù
to tuck inside one's sleeve
HSK 5, n, 10 strokes, radical 衤, rank #13973, Hard
xiù(xiu4)xiu T4
1sleeve
2to tuck inside one's sleeve
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March 24, 2026
袖xiù(xiu4)
The character 袖 (xiù) primarily means 'sleeve,' which refers to the part of a garment that covers the arm. It can also imply the action of tucking something inside one's sleeve, often suggesting concealment or protection. This term is commonly used in discussions about clothing and fashion.
Strokes10Radical衤Frequency#13973DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese clothing, the sleeves of garments often have significant aesthetic and symbolic value, with longer sleeves representing grace and elegance. The concept of tucking items into sleeves also reflects historical practices of carrying small belongings discreetly.
Memory tip
Imagine a large, fluffy sleeve (袖) that can hide secrets inside. The radical 袁 looks like a sleeve, and 'xiù' sounds like 'shoe'—think of hiding a shoe in your sleeve to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 袖
xiù(xiu4)
1sleeve
2to tuck inside one's sleeve
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 袖
袖Simplified
10Strokes
衤Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13973Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 袖
Podcast: 袖
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AI study notes for 袖
Quick Contrast
袖 (xiù) vs 袖口 (xiùkǒu) — use 袖 for the general term 'sleeve,' while 袖口 specifically refers to the 'sleeve opening.'
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 袖 (xiù), as confusing it with similar-sounding words can lead to misunderstandings. This word is typically used in neutral contexts, so it’s appropriate for both formal and informal conversations. Common collocations include 袖子 (xiùzi) for 'sleeve' and 袖口 (xiùkǒu) for 'sleeve opening.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 袖 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to clothing-related terms such as 衣 (yī, 'clothes') and 裙 (qún, 'skirt'). Focusing on the context of clothing can help solidify your understanding of 袖 and related terms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 袖 (xiù) with 休 (xiū, meaning 'to rest'). A common mistake is saying 休子 instead of 袖子 when referring to 'sleeve.' Always remember that 袖 starts with 'xiù' not 'xiū.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 袖
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 袖 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.
袖 = 衤 + 由. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 袖
IDS Structure⿰衤由
袖Full character
=
衤yi1
left
由you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 袖?
How to say sleeve in Chinese
“sleeve” in Chinese is袖xiù
The character 袖 (xiù) primarily means 'sleeve,' which refers to the part of a garment that covers the arm. It can also imply the action of tucking something inside one's sleeve, often suggesting concealment or protection. This term is commonly used in discussions about clothing and fashion.
When to use 袖
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 袖 (xiù), as confusing it with similar-sounding words can lead to misunderstandings. This word is typically used in neutral contexts, so it’s appropriate for both formal and informal conversations. Common collocations include 袖子 (xiùzi) for 'sleeve' and 袖口 (xiùkǒu) for 'sleeve opening.'
袖 or something close to it
袖 (xiù) vs 袖口 (xiùkǒu) — use 袖 for the general term 'sleeve,' while 袖口 specifically refers to the 'sleeve opening.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 袖 (xiù) with 休 (xiū, meaning 'to rest'). A common mistake is saying 休子 instead of 袖子 when referring to 'sleeve.' Always remember that 袖 starts with 'xiù' not 'xiū.'
Write 袖
袖
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Practice writing 袖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 袖
袖 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 2 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她真够大胆的，竟抓住了我的衣____。
Bold as you please, she grabbed me by the sleeve.
Example sentences for 袖 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她真够大胆的，竟抓住了我的衣袖。
tā zhēn gòu dàdǎn de， jìng zhuāzhù le wǒ de yī xiù。
Bold as you please, she grabbed me by the sleeve.
2
洛伦佐是天生的领袖，善于交友。
luò lún zuǒ shì tiānshēng de lǐngxiù， shànyú jiāo yǒu。
Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily.
The nightdress has handmade lace round the armholes and neckline.
9
袖口上有褶边的女衬衫
xiù kǒu shàng yǒu xí biān de nǚ chènshān
a white blouse with frills at the cuffs
10
她把袖子卷得老高,露着光溜溜的两只胳膊, 准备洗衣服.
tā bǎ xiùzi juǎn de lǎo gāo, lòu zhe guāng liū liū de liǎng zhī gēbo, zhǔnbèi xǐ yīfu.
She rolled her sleeves up high leaving her arms bare, ready to do the washing.
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Word Family of 袖
Words containing this character20
领袖lǐngxiùleader領袖
袖xiùsleeve
长袖chángxiùlong sleeves長袖
袖手旁观xiùshǒupángguānto watch with folded arms (idiom); to look on without lifting a finger袖手旁觀
袖子xiùzisleeve
袖口xiùkǒucuff
袖珍xiùzhēnpocket-sized
衣袖yīxiùthe sleeve of a garment
短袖duǎnxiùshort sleeves
拂袖而去fúxiù’érqùto storm off in a huff (idiom)
袖章xiùzhāngarmband (e.g. as part of uniform or to show status)
两袖清风liǎngxiùqīngfēnguncorrupted兩袖清風
袖套xiùtàosleeve cover
水袖shuǐxiùflowing sleeves (part of theatrical costume)
长袖善舞chángxiùshànwǔlong sleeves help one dance beautifully (idiom); money and power will help you in any occupation長袖善舞
袖标xiùbiāoarmband袖標
袖管xiùguǎnsleeve
袖箭xiùjiànspring-loaded arrow concealed in one's sleeve
断袖之癖duànxiùzhīpǐlit. cut sleeve (idiom); fig. euphemism for homosexuality, originating from History of Western Han 漢書|汉书: emperor Han Aidi (real name Liu Xin) was in bed with his lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong斷袖之癖
套袖tàoxiùsleeve cover
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 袖
What does 领袖 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 袖
It is pronounced as 'xiù,' with a falling tone.
Common phrases include 袖子 (xiùzi) for 'sleeve' and 袖口 (xiùkǒu) for 'sleeve opening.'
Yes, 袖 can imply concealment or protection, as in tucking something away.
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