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油腻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
油腻
yóunì
grease
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
油腻
yóunì
greasy food
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
油腻
yóunì
oily
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
油腻
yóunì
rich (of food)
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
油腻
yóunì
fatty
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
油腻
yóunì
greasy and dirty
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
油腻
yóunì
a slippery character
HSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #21699, Very Hard
yóunì(you2ni4)you ni T2
1grease
2greasy food
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March 24, 2026
油腻(油膩)yóunì(you2ni4)
油腻 (yóu nì) refers to food that is oily or greasy, often associated with excessive fat content, making it rich and heavy. It can also describe a person's character as slick or untrustworthy. Commonly used in discussions about food preferences and health, this term carries a negative connotation when referring to both food and character.
Strokes21Frequency#21699DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, food is often a symbol of hospitality and care. Describing food as 油腻 may indicate that it lacks healthiness or thoughtfulness in preparation, reflecting broader societal trends towards healthier eating.
Memory tip
Imagine a slippery, greasy oil spill (油) that makes everything sticky and hard to manage (腻). To remember '油腻,' picture a chef pouring too much oil into a dish, making it not just rich but also unappetizing. The sound 'yóu' could remind you of 'you,' as in 'too much oil is not good for you!'
Meanings of 油腻
yóunì(you2ni4)
1grease
2greasy food
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 油腻 means.
About 油腻
油腻Simplified
油膩Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#21699Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 油腻
Podcast: 油腻
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AI study notes for 油腻
Quick Contrast
油腻 (yóunì) vs 重 (zhòng) — use 油腻 for describing greasy food specifically, while 重 refers to heaviness in a broader sense.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 油腻 in conversation, as it can come off as critical, especially regarding someone's cooking. It is predominantly used in informal contexts to describe food or someone's demeanor. Common collocations include '油腻的食物' (greasy food) and '油腻的性格' (greasy character).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 油腻 connects with other food-related vocabulary and adjectives describing texture and flavor. Students should focus on recognizing it in culinary discussions and practicing its use in describing both food and character traits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 油腻 with 油性 (oily), which refers specifically to oiliness in texture rather than the negative connotation of greasiness. For example, saying '这道菜是油性' (This dish is oily) is less common; '这道菜太油腻了' is preferred.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 油腻
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油腻 (yóu nì) refers to food that is oily or greasy, often associated with excessive fat content, making it rich and heavy. It can also describe a person's character as slick or untrustworthy. Commonly used in discussions about food preferences and health, this term carries a negative connotation when referring to both food and character.
When to use 油腻
Be cautious when using 油腻 in conversation, as it can come off as critical, especially regarding someone's cooking. It is predominantly used in informal contexts to describe food or someone's demeanor. Common collocations include '油腻的食物' (greasy food) and '油腻的性格' (greasy character).
油腻 or something close to it
油腻 (yóunì) vs 重 (zhòng) — use 油腻 for describing greasy food specifically, while 重 refers to heaviness in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 油腻 with 油性 (oily), which refers specifically to oiliness in texture rather than the negative connotation of greasiness. For example, saying '这道菜是油性' (This dish is oily) is less common; '这道菜太油腻了' is preferred.
Write 油腻
油
腻
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Grammar patterns of 油腻
油腻 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). It carries 7 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
一团____的黑色烟雾飘到悬崖顶上。
A pall of oily black smoke drifted over the cliff-top.
