HSK 7, nr, 5 strokes, radical 玉, rank #8599, Medium
玉
yù
jade, gem, precious stone
HSK 7, nr, 5 strokes, radical 玉, rank #8599, Medium
yù(yu4) T4
1jade
2jade, gem, precious stone
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March 24, 2026
玉yù(yu4)
玉 (yù) refers to jade, a precious stone highly valued in Chinese culture for its beauty and symbolism of purity and nobility. It is commonly used in jewelry, ornaments, and traditional Chinese art. The term also extends to similar precious stones and gems, embodying qualities of value and elegance.
Strokes5Radical玉Frequency#8599DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, jade is not just a gemstone; it represents moral integrity and is often associated with Confucian values. Historically, it has been used in rituals and as a symbol of status among the elite.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful, green piece of jade shaped like a 'Y' for 'yù'. The character 玉 looks like a piece of jewelry hanging, reminding you of its precious nature. Think of ‘you’ admiring the jade, which sounds like 'yù', creating a personal connection.
Meanings of 玉
yù(yu4)
1jade
2jade, gem, precious stone
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 玉
玉Simplified
5Strokes
玉Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#8599Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 玉
Podcast: 玉
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AI Study Notes for 玉
Quick Contrast
瑪瑙 (mǎnǎo, agate) — choose 玉 when referring to jade specifically, as it holds unique cultural significance and value in Chinese tradition, unlike 瑪瑙 which is a different type of stone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a beautiful, green piece of jade shaped like a 'Y' for 'yù'. The character 玉 looks like a piece of jewelry hanging, reminding you of its precious nature. Think of ‘you’ admiring the jade, which sounds like 'yù', creating a personal connection.
Usage Notes
玉 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about art, culture, or personal items. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that refer to other materials. Common collocations include 玉器 (jade articles) and 玉石 (jade and stone).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 玉 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to precious materials and cultural artifacts. Focus on its usage in idiomatic expressions and its role in traditional Chinese beliefs about wealth and status.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, jade is not just a gemstone; it represents moral integrity and is often associated with Confucian values. Historically, it has been used in rituals and as a symbol of status among the elite.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 玉 with other characters like 余 (yú), which means 'surplus'. For example, saying '我喜欢余' instead of '我喜欢玉' to express liking jade is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 玉
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Pictograph of a ritual object made out of several pieces of jade joined together by a string. A dot was later added to 玉 to distinguish it from 王 (king).
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Grammar Patterns of 玉
玉 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 2 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
我们的生活虽然并非锦衣____食，也算是衣食无忧。
We don't live in the lap of luxury, but we're comfortable.
Common Confusions with 玉
玉vs王
wáng
Both characters have a similar shape, but 玉 represents jade.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "jade"?
or
Usage Notes for 玉
Misunderstanding the Context of 玉Common Error
玉 can refer to both the material jade and be used metaphorically in literature.
1
这块玉很珍贵。
This piece of jade is very precious.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
这块____很珍贵。
This piece of jade is very precious.
Example Sentences for 玉 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我们的生活虽然并非锦衣玉食，也算是衣食无忧。
wǒ mén de shēng huó suī rán bìng fēi jǐn yī yù shí， ， yě suàn shì yī shí wú。
We don't live in the lap of luxury, but we're comfortable.
2
艾奥瓦州今年玉米大丰收。
ài ào wǎ zhōu jīn nián yù mǐ dà fēng shōu。
In the state of Iowa, it's been a bumper year for corn.
3
张素素猛不防是李玉亭,便有几分不自在.
zhāng sù sù měng bù fáng shì lǐ yù tíng, , biàn yǒu jī fēn bù zì.
His sudden appearance took Chang Su - su unawares, and she fidgeted uneasily.
Rolls, corn muffins, biscuits and waffles , dripping butter, all at one meal.
9
而真正使刘玉玲成名的还要算是1997年的影片《甜心俏佳人 》.
ér zhēn zhèng shǐ liú yù líng chéng míng de huán yào suàn shì1997 1997 nián de yǐng《 piàn 《 tián xīn qiào》.
In 1997, she landed her big break in " Ally McBeal ".
10
蘸香辣调味汁的玉米薄饼
zhàn xiāng là tiáo wèi zhī de yù mǐ báo bǐng
tortilla chips dipped in a picante sauce
Cultural Notes for 玉
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, jade is not just a gemstone; it represents moral integrity and is often associated with Confucian values. Historically, it has been used in rituals and as a symbol of status among the elite.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, precious stones like diamonds may symbolize love and commitment, while in China, jade has deeper cultural significance associated with virtue and ancestral honor.
Word Family of 玉
Compounds20
国Guo2surname Guo
宝bao3variant of 寶
玺xi3imperial signet, royal signet
璧bi4a jade annulus
莹ying2bright, lustrous, sparkling like a gem
钰yu4rare treasure
珏jue2two gems mounted together
瑿
璺wen4a crack in porcelain
匤
琞
琧
瑩ying2bright, lustrous, sparkling like a gem
瑬
璗
璽xi3imperial signet, royal signet
瓕
砡
鈺yu4rare treasure
閠
Words Containing This Character20
玉米yùmǐcorn
玉yùjade
玉米饼corn cake玉米餅
玉石precious stones
玉米粉cornflour
玉米面cornmeal玉米麵
玉女beautiful woman
玉器jade artifact
白玉white jade
林黛玉Lin Daiyu, female character in The Dream of Red Mansions, cousin and thwarted lover of Jia Baoyu 賈寶玉|贾宝玉
玉兰Yulan magnolia玉蘭
玉林Yulin prefecture level city in Guangxi
张曼玉Maggie Cheung (1964-), Hong Kong actress張曼玉
宝玉precious jade寶玉
亭亭玉立slender and elegant (of a woman)
金科玉律golden rule
金玉precious
玉手lily-white hands
玉帝the Jade Emperor
金童玉女a golden couple
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 国 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 玉
Jade symbolizes purity, moral integrity, and is often associated with nobility and high status.
Yes, primarily nephrite and jadeite, each with different qualities and values.
It's pronounced 'yù' with a falling tone, similar to saying 'you' but with a more abrupt end.
