Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
遇yù(Yu4)
The character 遇 (yù) primarily means 'to meet' or 'to encounter.' It is commonly used in contexts where one comes across someone or something unexpectedly, or in the sense of having a chance encounter. This character can also imply the idea of receiving or treating someone in a particular way, emphasizing interpersonal interactions.
Strokes12Radical辶Frequency#3188DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, encountering someone unexpectedly can symbolize fate or destiny, often seen in stories and proverbs. For example, the concept of '缘分' (yuánfèn) relates to the idea of predestined relationships, where meeting someone can change one's life.
Memory tip
Imagine a person standing at a crossroads (the character's radical '辶' represents movement) and suddenly running into an old friend. The '遇' looks like a person ('𠂇') meeting another ('遇') at a chance moment, helping you remember both its meaning of 'meeting' and its pronunciation 'yù.'
Meanings of 遇
yù(Yu4)
1to meet
2to encounter
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 遇 means.
About 遇
遇Simplified
12Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3188Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 遇
Podcast: 遇
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 遇
Quick Contrast
遭 (zāo) - use 遇 (yù) for a more neutral or positive encounter, while 遭 (zāo) conveys a negative or unfortunate experience.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '遇,' as it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone) in Mandarin. It often appears in phrases such as '遇到' (to encounter) and '相遇' (to meet each other). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more suited to everyday conversations.
HSK Study Tips
Although 遇 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it is essential for learners at HSK 3 and above, where encountering new vocabulary in conversational contexts becomes common. Focus on its usage in phrases and collocations to enhance understanding and fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 遇 with 见 (jiàn) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我遇他' (I met him) instead of '我见他' is incorrect in contexts where the meeting was planned.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 遇
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 遇, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 遇 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 遇?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 遇 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.
遇 = 辶 + 禺. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 遇
IDS Structure⿺辶禺
遇Full character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
禺ou3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 遇?
How to say to meet in Chinese
“to meet” in Chinese is遇yù
The character 遇 (yù) primarily means 'to meet' or 'to encounter.' It is commonly used in contexts where one comes across someone or something unexpectedly, or in the sense of having a chance encounter. This character can also imply the idea of receiving or treating someone in a particular way, emphasizing interpersonal interactions.
When to use 遇
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '遇,' as it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone) in Mandarin. It often appears in phrases such as '遇到' (to encounter) and '相遇' (to meet each other). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more suited to everyday conversations.
遇 or something close to it
遭 (zāo) - use 遇 (yù) for a more neutral or positive encounter, while 遭 (zāo) conveys a negative or unfortunate experience.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 遇 with 见 (jiàn) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我遇他' (I met him) instead of '我见他' is incorrect in contexts where the meeting was planned.
Write 遇
遇
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 遇 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 遇
遇 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 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.
The couple met about two years ago and soon became firm friends.
8
这是我所遇到的最好的事情了。
zhè shì wǒ suǒ yùdào de zuìhǎo de shìqing le。
It's the best thing that ever happened to me.
9
这一遭遇实在让他满腔愤慨。
zhè yī zāoyù shízài ràng tā mǎn qiāng fèn kǎi。
He is truly outraged about what's happened to him.
10
他的车遭遇拦劫，随后他被4名持枪歹徒劫持。
tā de chē zāoyù lán jié， suíhòu tā bèi4 míng chí qiāng dǎitú jiéchí。
His car was held up and he was abducted by four gunmen.
11
他们在大学偶遇，最后结了婚。
tāmen zài dàxué ǒu yù， zuìhòu jié le hūn。
They had met by chance at university and finished up getting married.
12
遇先生是我们公司的新任总经理。
Yù xiānsheng shì wǒmen gōngsī de xīnrèn zǒngjīnglǐ.
Mr. Yu is the new general manager of our company.
13
在会议上，我认识了遇小姐，她是来自上海的专家。
Zài huìyì shàng, wǒ rènshi le Yù xiǎojiě, tā shì láizì Shànghǎi de zhuānjiā.
At the meeting, I met Miss Yu, who is an expert from Shanghai.
14
遇教授的研究领域是古代文学，他发表了很多有影响力的论文。
Yù jiàoshòu de yánjiū lǐngyù shì gǔdài wénxué, tā fābiǎo le hěn duō yǒu yǐngxiǎng lì de lùnwén.
Professor Yu's research area is ancient literature, and he has published many influential papers.
15
遇太太对艺术有着深刻的理解，她经常举办画展。
Yù tàitai duì yìshù yǒuzhe shēnkè de lǐjiě, tā jīngcháng jǔbàn huàzhǎn.
Mrs. Yu has a deep understanding of art, and she often organizes art exhibitions.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 遇?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 遇
💡Did you know?
'遇' can also relate to the concept of fate or chance in Chinese culture. Meeting someone by chance is often seen as a significant event, reflecting the belief in destiny.
Word Family of 遇
Words containing this character20
遇到yùdàoto meet
遇yùto meet
遇见yùjiànto meet遇見
遭遇zāoyùto meet with
机遇jīyùopportunity機遇
待遇dàiyùpay
相遇xiāngyùto meet
外遇wàiyùextramarital affair
遇害yùhàito be murdered
遇难yùnànto perish遇難
偶遇ǒuyùa chance encounter
遇难者yùnànzhěvictim遇難者
境遇jìngyùcircumstance
礼遇lǐyùcourtesy禮遇
遇刺yùcìto be attacked by an assassin
遇险yùxiǎnto meet with danger遇險
奇遇qíyùhappy encounter
随遇而安suíyù’ér’ānflexible隨遇而安
际遇jìyùluck際遇
不期而遇bùqī’éryùmeet by chance
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 遇
What does 遇到 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 遇
Common phrases with 遇 include '遇到困难' which means 'to encounter difficulties' and '遇见' meaning 'to meet.' These phrases are useful for expressing various types of encounters in conversation.
Yes, 遇 is frequently used in everyday conversation in Chinese. It is applicable in various contexts, from casual meetings to discussing opportunities. Understanding its usage can enhance your conversational skills.
遇 (yù) means 'to encounter' or 'to meet.' It can also refer to the way one treats or receives someone. Additionally, it can imply an opportunity or chance in certain contexts.
You can use 遇 in sentences to express encounters or meetings. For example, '我遇见了我的老朋友' means 'I encountered my old friend.' It can also be used idiomatically to discuss opportunities, such as '我终于遇到了一个好机会' meaning 'I finally encountered a good opportunity.'
While both mean 'to meet,' 遇 implies a chance encounter, whereas 见 is more general and can refer to seeing someone intentionally.
Generally, 遇 is more common in spoken language. In formal writing, other words like '接见' (to meet officially) might be preferred.
No, 遇 can also refer to encountering situations or opportunities, such as '遇到困难' (to encounter difficulties).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 遇?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
