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谀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
to flatter, to cajoleg, 10 strokes, radical 讠, rank #43684, Very Hard
(yu2) T2
  1. 1to flatter, to cajole
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(諛)(yu2)

The character 谀 (yú) means to flatter or cajole someone, often with the intention of gaining favor or influence. It is commonly used in contexts where excessive praise is offered, sometimes insincerely, to manipulate someone's opinion or behavior.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#43684DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, flattery has often been seen as a necessary tool in hierarchical relationships, such as in the workplace or among officials, reflecting the importance of 'face' (面子).

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding a 'yule' log (sounds like 'yú') while showering compliments on a friend, trying to get them to help with a project. The visual of flattery and the log's warmth can help you remember the meaning of 谀.

Meanings of 谀

(yu2)
1to flatter, to cajole
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 谀

Simplified
Traditional
10Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 谀

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 谀

Quick Contrast

谄 (chǎn) — use 谀 (yú) for flatteries aimed at gaining favor, while 谄 (chǎn) implies a more insincere or obsequious flattery.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person holding a 'yule' log (sounds like 'yú') while showering compliments on a friend, trying to get them to help with a project. The visual of flattery and the log's warmth can help you remember the meaning of 谀.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using this word, as it carries a negative connotation of insincerity. It's more common in formal contexts or literature than in everyday conversation. Avoid confusing it with other words that mean to praise sincerely.

HSK Study Tips

Although not currently listed in HSK levels, learning 谀 can enrich your vocabulary regarding social interactions and nuances of communication. Focus on its usage in literary contexts, as it may appear in classical Chinese texts.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, flattery has often been seen as a necessary tool in hierarchical relationships, such as in the workplace or among officials, reflecting the importance of 'face' (面子).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 谀 with other words for praise, such as 赞美 (zànměi), which is positive and sincere. For example, saying '我想要谀她' (I want to flatter her) might not convey the intended sincerity, whereas '我想要赞美她' would be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谀

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Etymology of 谀

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

speech

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 谀?

Decomposition of 谀

IDS Structure⿰讠臾
Full Character
=
yan2
left
Yu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 谀?

Write 谀

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

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Grammar Patterns of 谀

谀 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

他们说她对她的老板阿____逢迎。

They said she had a servile attitude to her employer.

Example Sentences for 谀 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们说她对她的老板阿谀逢迎。

tā mén shuō tā duì tā de lǎo bǎn ā yú féng yíng。

They said she had a servile attitude to her employer.

Cultural Notes for 谀

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, flattery has often been seen as a necessary tool in hierarchical relationships, such as in the workplace or among officials, reflecting the importance of 'face' (面子).

Word Family of 谀

Words Containing This Character4
to flatter
阿谀奉承sweet-talking阿諛奉承
阿谀to flatter阿諛
谀辞flattering words諛辭
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 谀 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 谀

No, it is more common in formal contexts or literature.