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鼬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yòuweasel, mustela itatisn, 18 strokes, radical 鼠, rank #12337, Hard
yòu(you4) T4
  1. 1weasel, mustela itatis
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
yòu(you4)

The character 鼬 (yòu) refers to a type of small carnivorous mammal, specifically the weasel, known for its elongated body and agility. This term is often used in biological or ecological contexts when discussing wildlife or animal behavior.

Strokes18RadicalFrequency#12337DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese folklore and literature, animals like the weasel are sometimes associated with cunning and trickery, reflecting their behaviors in the wild. This cultural perception can influence how the term is used in various contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a slippery little weasel sneaking through the grass, its body resembling the shape of the character 鼬. The '耳' (ear) part at the bottom looks like the weasel's ears perked up, ready to pounce, while '𠂆' hints at its lively nature.

Meanings of 鼬

yòu(you4)
1weasel, mustela itatis
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鼬

Simplified
18Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鼬

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 鼬

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a slippery little weasel sneaking through the grass, its body resembling the shape of the character 鼬. The '耳' (ear) part at the bottom looks like the weasel's ears perked up, ready to pounce, while '𠂆' hints at its lively nature.

Usage Notes

Although 鼬 is a specific term, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to other animals. Be careful not to confuse it with related terms like 鼬鼠 (yòu shǔ), which refers specifically to the weasel mouse. Use it in a formal context when discussing wildlife.

HSK Study Tips

As 鼬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it may not be directly relevant for learners focusing on HSK levels. However, knowing this word can enhance your vocabulary related to animals and nature, which can be beneficial for advanced learners.

Cultural Note

In Chinese folklore and literature, animals like the weasel are sometimes associated with cunning and trickery, reflecting their behaviors in the wild. This cultural perception can influence how the term is used in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鼬 with similar sounding animals like 狐狸 (hú li, fox) or 猫 (māo, cat). Remember that 鼬 specifically refers to the weasel, which has distinct characteristics compared to these other animals.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鼬

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Etymology of 鼬

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

Phonosemantic compound. 鼠 represents the meaning and 由 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

rat

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 鼬?

Decomposition of 鼬

IDS Structure⿰鼠由
Full Character
=
shu3
left
you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鼬?

Write 鼬

Practice writing 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 鼬

鼬 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 1

Complete the Sentence

狐狸、獾、黄鼠狼和白____在这里很常见。

Fox, badger, weasel and stoat are regularly seen here.

Example Sentences for 鼬 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
狐狸、獾、黄鼠狼和白鼬在这里很常见。

hú lí、 、、 huān 、 huáng shǔ láng hé bái yòu zài zhè lǐ hěn。

Fox, badger, weasel and stoat are regularly seen here.

Cultural Notes for 鼬

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese folklore and literature, animals like the weasel are sometimes associated with cunning and trickery, reflecting their behaviors in the wild. This cultural perception can influence how the term is used in various contexts.

Word Family of 鼬

Words Containing This Character2
yòuweasel
黄鼬Siberian weasel黃鼬
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 鼬 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鼬

鼬 (yòu) refers to the weasel itself, while 鼬鼠 (yòu shǔ) specifically refers to the weasel mouse, a different but related species.