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March 24, 2026
痒yǎng(yang3)
The character 痒 (yǎng) means 'to itch' or 'to tickle.' It is commonly used in contexts related to skin sensations, such as allergies or insect bites. The nuance of this word can vary, as it can describe both mild tickling sensations and more severe itching.
Strokes11Radical疒Frequency#5344DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sensation of itching can be linked to imbalances in the body's internal systems, often associated with heat or dampness. This perspective on health highlights the importance of skin health in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person feeling an itch on their arm and saying ‘yǎng’ while scratching it. The character 痒 is composed of the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, suggesting discomfort, and the component 羊 (sheep) on the right, which you can visualize as a sheep trying to scratch an itch. This imagery helps link the character's form to its meaning.
Meanings of 痒
yǎng(yang3)
1to itch
2to tickle
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 痒
痒Simplified
11Strokes
疒Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5344Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 痒
Podcast: 痒
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AI Study Notes for 痒
Quick Contrast
瘙痒 (sāoyǎng) - use 痒 (yǎng) for general itching, while 瘙痒 (sāoyǎng) often implies a more intense or specific type of itch, typically associated with skin conditions.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person feeling an itch on their arm and saying ‘yǎng’ while scratching it. The character 痒 is composed of the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, suggesting discomfort, and the component 羊 (sheep) on the right, which you can visualize as a sheep trying to scratch an itch. This imagery helps link the character's form to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 痒 (yǎng) with similar-sounding words. It is informal and typically used in everyday conversations, such as when describing sensations. Common collocations include 痒痒 (yǎngyǎng), meaning 'itchy' or 'to have an itch.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 痒 connects with other health-related vocabulary, like 疼 (téng - pain) and 病 (bìng - illness). Students should focus on context and usage in sentences to strengthen their understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sensation of itching can be linked to imbalances in the body's internal systems, often associated with heat or dampness. This perspective on health highlights the importance of skin health in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 痒 (yǎng) with 痛 (tòng - pain). For example, saying '我觉得痛' (Wǒ juédé tòng) instead of '我觉得痒' (Wǒ juédé yǎng) when describing an itch is incorrect. Always use 痒 for itching sensations.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 痒
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Grammar Patterns of 痒
痒 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
它挠得我后脖梗儿的绒毛直____痒。
It tickled the hairs on the back of my neck.
Example Sentences for 痒 (10)
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1
它挠得我后脖梗儿的绒毛直痒痒。
tā náo dé wǒ hòu bó gěng ér de róng máo zhí yǎng yǎng。
It tickled the hairs on the back of my neck.
2
我的皮肤又硬又粗糙，而且还很痒。
wǒ de pí fū yòu yìng yòu cū cāo， ， ér qiě huán hěn。
The complaint was vulva white patch with itch for 8 years.
10
外阴很痒, 一年多了, 好难受.
wài yīn hěn yǎng, , yī nián duō, le , hǎo.
Vulva is very urticant, a year many, very afflictive.
Cultural Notes for 痒
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sensation of itching can be linked to imbalances in the body's internal systems, often associated with heat or dampness. This perspective on health highlights the importance of skin health in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 痒
Words Containing This Character16
痒yǎngto itch
痒痒to itch癢癢
瘙痒to itch瘙癢
发痒to tickle發癢
无关痛痒not to affect sb無關痛癢
手痒(fig.) to itch (to do sth)手癢
不痛不痒superficial不痛不癢
搔痒to tickle搔癢
痛痒pain and itch痛癢
隔靴搔痒ineffectual隔靴搔癢
挠痒痒to tickle撓癢癢
抓痒to scratch an itch抓癢
怕痒to be ticklish怕癢
痒痒挠backscratcher (made from bamboo etc)癢癢撓
不关痛痒unimportant不關痛癢
虱多不痒Troubles never come singly.蝨多不癢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 痒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 痒
You can say '我觉得很痒' (Wǒ juédé hěn yǎng) meaning 'I feel very itchy.'
No, 痒 is primarily used in informal contexts, such as conversation. In formal writing, you might describe the condition more medically.
They are variants of the same character; however, 痒 is the more commonly used form in modern Chinese.
