元宵 (yuánxiāo) refers to glutinous rice balls typically filled with sweet or savory fillings, commonly enjoyed during the Lantern Festival which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. They symbolize family reunions and togetherness, making them a significant dish in Chinese culture during festive occasions.
HSK 6, 16 strokes, Hard
yuánxiāo(yuan2xiao1) T2
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
May 27, 2026
元宵yuánxiāo(yuan2xiao1)
元宵 (yuánxiāo) refers to glutinous rice balls typically filled with sweet or savory fillings, commonly enjoyed during the Lantern Festival which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. They symbolize family reunions and togetherness, making them a significant dish in Chinese culture during festive occasions.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
元宵 is integral to the Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, where families gather to eat these rice balls and enjoy lantern displays, embodying the spirit of reunion and celebration in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a round, glowing lantern hanging in the air, resembling the shape of a glutinous rice ball (元宵). The '元' (yuán) part sounds like 'yarn,' which can remind you of the soft, chewy texture of the rice balls, while '宵' (xiāo) sounds like 'shout,' as if people are shouting in joy while enjoying these treats during the festival.
About 元宵
元宵Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 元宵
Podcast: 元宵
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 元宵
Quick Contrast
汤圆 (tāngyuán) - 元宵 (yuánxiāo) are specifically associated with the Lantern Festival, while 汤圆 (tāngyuán) can be enjoyed year-round.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a round, glowing lantern hanging in the air, resembling the shape of a glutinous rice ball (元宵). The '元' (yuán) part sounds like 'yarn,' which can remind you of the soft, chewy texture of the rice balls, while '宵' (xiāo) sounds like 'shout,' as if people are shouting in joy while enjoying these treats during the festival.
Usage Notes
元宵 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially during the Lantern Festival. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with 汤圆 (tāngyuán), which are similar but typically enjoyed year-round. A common mistake is mispronouncing it as 'yuanxiao' instead of the correct 'yuánxiāo'.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, students should focus on understanding cultural contexts around 元宵 and its significance during festivals. It's helpful to relate this word to other festival vocabulary, such as 春节 (Chūnjié, Spring Festival) and 灯笼 (dēnglóng, lantern).
Cultural Note
元宵 is integral to the Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, where families gather to eat these rice balls and enjoy lantern displays, embodying the spirit of reunion and celebration in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong tone, pronouncing it as 'yuanxia' instead of 'yuánxiāo'. Additionally, some may confuse it with other rice-based dishes, failing to recognize its unique cultural significance during the Lantern Festival.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 元宵
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 元宵 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 元宵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 元宵
🏮Cultural insight
元宵 is integral to the Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, where families gather to eat these rice balls and enjoy lantern displays, embodying the spirit of reunion and celebration in Chinese culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 元宵
元宵 are typically made by rolling glutinous rice flour with filling, while 汤圆 are made by shaping the dough around a filling. 元宵 are usually served in a sweet soup.
元宵 are traditionally eaten during the Lantern Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Yes, many Asian grocery stores around the world sell frozen 元宵, especially during Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival.
