generic word for peoples or states of south China or south Asia at different historical periods
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
越
yuè
to exceed
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
越
yuè
to climb over
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
越
yuè
to surpass
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
越
yuè
the more... the more
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
越
yuè
to exceed, to surpass, to transcend
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
越
yuè
abbr. for Vietnam 越南
HSK 3, d, 12 strokes, radical 走, rank #711, Medium
yuè(Yue4)yue T4
1generic word for peoples or states of south China or south Asia at different historical periods
2to exceed
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March 24, 2026
越yuè(Yue4)
The character 越 (yuè) has multiple meanings, primarily signifying 'to exceed' or 'to surpass.' It is commonly used in contexts where comparison or elevation is involved, such as 'the more... the more' constructions. Additionally, it serves as an abbreviation for Vietnam, representing its historical and cultural significance.
Strokes12Radical走Frequency#711DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the term 越 has been associated with southern regions and ethnic groups, particularly the ancient Yue people. This reflects the rich tapestry of southern Chinese culture, which includes distinct languages and traditions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a mountain labeled 越 that you need to climb over (the 'exceed' aspect) to reach a beautiful view of Vietnam. The left component '走' (to walk) suggests movement, while the right '越' visually resembles a person overcoming a hurdle.
Meanings of 越
yuè(Yue4)
1generic word for peoples or states of south China or south Asia at different historical periods
2to exceed
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 越
越Simplified
12Strokes
走Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#711Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 越
Podcast: 越
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AI Study Notes for 越
Quick Contrast
超 (chāo) - use 越 (yuè) when emphasizing a gradual increase or surpassing in a comparative sense, while 超 (chāo) suggests a more immediate or complete surpassing.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 越 in the wrong context; it often conveys a sense of progression or improvement. This character is more common in informal conversations, yet it can also appear in formal contexts. A common collocation is '越...越...' to express increasing intensity, such as '越高越好' (the higher, the better).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 越 connects with other common verbs that express actions of surpassing or climbing. Students should practice its usage in comparative sentences to solidify understanding. Focus on recognizing it in phrases and as part of common idiomatic expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 越 with 过 (guò), which also means 'to exceed' but in a different context. For example, saying '我越过了他' (I exceeded him) instead of '我超过了他' (I surpassed him) is incorrect. The latter is the more appropriate choice.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 越
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越 = 走 + 戉. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 越
IDS Structure⿺走戉
越Full Character
=
走zou3
enclosing
戉yue4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 越?
How to say generic word for peoples or states of south China or south Asia at different historical periods in Chinese
“generic word for peoples or states of south China or south Asia at different historical periods” in Chinese is越yuè
The character 越 (yuè) has multiple meanings, primarily signifying 'to exceed' or 'to surpass.' It is commonly used in contexts where comparison or elevation is involved, such as 'the more... the more' constructions. Additionally, it serves as an abbreviation for Vietnam, representing its historical and cultural significance.
When to use 越
Be cautious of using 越 in the wrong context; it often conveys a sense of progression or improvement. This character is more common in informal conversations, yet it can also appear in formal contexts. A common collocation is '越...越...' to express increasing intensity, such as '越高越好' (the higher, the better).
越 or something close to it
超 (chāo) - use 越 (yuè) when emphasizing a gradual increase or surpassing in a comparative sense, while 超 (chāo) suggests a more immediate or complete surpassing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 越 with 过 (guò), which also means 'to exceed' but in a different context. For example, saying '我越过了他' (I exceeded him) instead of '我超过了他' (I surpassed him) is incorrect. The latter is the more appropriate choice.
Write 越
越
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Practice writing 越 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 越
越 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Scientists are becoming increasingly unsure of the validity of this technique.
5
在他的脑海中这一想法变得越来越宏大。
zài tā de nǎo hǎi zhōng zhè yī xiǎng fǎ biàn dé yuè lái yuè hóng dà。
The glory of the idea blossomed in his mind.
6
作为一名影星，英格丽已经远远地超越了她们，但这却无关紧要。
zuò wéi yī míng yǐng xīng， ， yīng gé lì yǐ jīng yuǎn yuǎn dì chāo yuè le tā， mén ， dàn zhè què wú guān。
It didn't matter that Ingrid had outdistanced them as a movie star.
7
嘲笑声的背后潜伏着一种越来越强烈的不安。
cháo xiào shēng de bèi hòu qián fú zháo yī zhǒng yuè lái yuè qiáng liè de bù ān。
Behind the mocking laughter lurks a growing sense of unease.
8
他越来越清楚地认识到引起紧张局势的原因。
tā yuè lái yuè qīng chǔ dì rèn shí dào yǐn qǐ jǐn zhāng jú shì de yuán yīn。
He became more aware of the things that started that tension off.
9
各种明显的迹象显示他的观点越来越受欢迎。
gè zhǒng míng xiǎn de jì xiàng xiǎn shì tā de guān diǎn yuè lái yuè shòu huān yíng。
There are strong signs that his views are gaining ground.
10
我们越来越反感他益发无趣又缺乏见地的言论。
wǒ mén yuè lái yuè fǎn gǎn tā yì fā wú qù yòu quē fá jiàn dì de yán lùn。
We became increasingly fed up with his increasingly unfunny and unintelligent comments.
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Cultural Notes for 越
💡Did you know?
The character 越 (Yuè) not only represents the concept of surpassing but is also used to refer to the ancient kingdom of Yue, which is located in the southern regions of China. This area is rich in history and culture, influencing modern Vietnam.
Word Family of 越
Compounds1
樾yue4the shade of a tree
Words Containing This Character20
越yuèto exceed
越来越yuèláiyuèmore and more越來越
越南Vietnam
穿越chuānyuèto pass through
超越chāoyuèto surpass
越狱to break out of prison越獄
越过yuèguòto cross over越過
跨越kuàyuèstep over
卓越zhuóyuèoutstanding
优越yōuyuèsuperior優越
越发yuèfāincreasingly越發
飞越to fly across飛越
越战Vietnam War (1955-1975)越戰
越野cross country
越界to cross a border
越野车off-road vehicle越野車
逾越to exceed
越位offside (sports)
跨越式breakthrough
越权arrogation越權
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 越
What does 樾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 越
Historically, 越 refers to various peoples and states in southern China and South Asia, highlighting the cultural and historical connections between these regions. This term is often associated with the ancient state of Yue, which played a significant role in the development of Chinese civilization.
In modern Chinese, 越 is frequently used to express actions that surpass a certain threshold, such as in expressions of improvement or progress. It can also appear in phrases that indicate increasing degrees or amounts, making it a versatile word in everyday language.
越 (yuè) has several meanings in Chinese. It can refer to surpassing or exceeding, as well as being an abbreviation for Vietnam (越南). Additionally, it historically refers to various peoples or states from southern China or South Asia.
You can use 越 (yuè) to express the idea of 'the more... the more' in a comparative context. For example, in the sentence '越认真，越会成功' (The more serious you are, the more successful you will be), it indicates a direct relationship between two actions or states.
You can use 越 in comparative structures, like '这本书越读越有趣' (The more I read this book, the more interesting it becomes).
越 can be used in both informal and formal contexts, but it is more frequently encountered in casual conversation.
Yes, 越 can describe people in terms of their abilities or achievements, indicating that one person surpasses another.
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