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隅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
隅yúcorner, cranny, nicheng, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #44611, Very Hard
yú(yu2) T2
  1. 1corner, cranny, niche
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

隅yú(yu2)

The character 隅 (yú) refers to a corner or niche, often used to describe a small, secluded space. It can denote the physical corners of rooms or objects, as well as metaphorical corners, such as an overlooked aspect of a situation or idea.

Strokes11Radical阝Frequency#44611DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese architecture and design, the concept of corners is significant, as they often represent stability and protection. This is why many traditional Chinese homes are designed with careful attention to the placement of corners.

Memory Tip

Imagine a little mouse hiding in the corner of a room (隅) to avoid being seen. The character has a 'corner' (the radical 阝) that looks like a small wall, suggesting privacy and seclusion.

Meanings of 隅

yú(yu2)
1corner, cranny, niche
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 隅

隅Simplified
11Strokes
阝Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 隅

JasonAmy

Podcast: 隅

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 隅

Quick Contrast

角 (jiǎo) — use 隅 (yú) for more secluded or specific corners, while 角 (jiǎo) refers to more general corners or angles.

Usage Notes

This character is typically used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in written language. Be careful not to confuse it with other characters that have similar meanings, such as 角 (jiǎo), which also means 'corner' but is used in different contexts. Make sure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 隅 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to other HSK words that describe locations or positions, such as 角 (jiǎo) and 里 (lǐ). Focus on understanding its usage in context and how it can complement other vocabulary at this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 隅 with 角 (jiǎo), leading to errors in meaning. For example, saying 隅 instead of 角 when referring to 'a corner of a street' would be incorrect; the correct usage is '街角 (jiējiǎo)'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 隅

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Etymology of 隅

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

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 禺 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

place

Semantic (meaning)阝
+
Phonetic (sound)禺
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 隅

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 禺 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half阝 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half禺 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayplace
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

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

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 隅?

Decomposition of 隅

IDS Structure⿰阝禺
隅Full Character
=
阝yi4
left
禺ou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 隅?

How to say corner, cranny, niche in Chinese

“corner, cranny, niche” in Chinese is隅yú

The character 隅 (yú) refers to a corner or niche, often used to describe a small, secluded space. It can denote the physical corners of rooms or objects, as well as metaphorical corners, such as an overlooked aspect of a situation or idea.

When to use 隅

This character is typically used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in written language. Be careful not to confuse it with other characters that have similar meanings, such as 角 (jiǎo), which also means 'corner' but is used in different contexts. Make sure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

隅 or something close to it

角 (jiǎo) — use 隅 (yú) for more secluded or specific corners, while 角 (jiǎo) refers to more general corners or angles.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 隅 with 角 (jiǎo), leading to errors in meaning. For example, saying 隅 instead of 角 when referring to 'a corner of a street' would be incorrect; the correct usage is '街角 (jiējiǎo)'.

Write 隅

隅

Practice writing 隅 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 隅

隅 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

失之东____, 得之西隅.

Loss of East corner, a corner of the West.

Example Sentences for 隅 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
失之东隅, 得之西隅.

shī zhī dōng yú, , dé zhī xī.

Loss of East corner, a corner of the West.
2
失鳕得鲱;失之东隅,收之桑榆.

shī xuě dé fēi; ; shī zhī dōng, yú , shōu zhī.

What we lose in hake we shall have in herring.
3
东街街道办事处位于大同市东南隅.

dōng jiē jiē dào bàn shì chǔ wèi yú dà tóng shì dōng nán yú.

East Street office is located in the southeast corner Datong.
4
冰很难越过尖锐的角隅.

bīng hěn nán yuè guò jiān ruì de jiǎo yú.

Ice has difficulty in negotiating sharp corners.

Word Family of 隅

Words Containing This Character5
隅yúcorner
向隅fig. to miss out on sth
察隅Zayü county, Tibetan: Rdza yul rdzong, in Nyingchi prefecture 林芝地區|林芝地区[Lín​zhī​dì​qū], Tibet
海隅coastal area
察隅县Zayü county, Tibetan: Rdza yul rdzong, in Nyingchi prefecture 林芝地區|林芝地区[Lín​zhī​dì​qū], Tibet察隅縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 隅 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 隅

The correct pronunciation is 'yú', with the second tone.

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