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玉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
玉
yù
jade
HSK 7, nr, 5 strokes, radical 玉, rank #8599, Very Hard
玉
yù
jade, gem, precious stone
HSK 7, nr, 5 strokes, radical 玉, rank #8599, Very Hard
yù(yu4)yu T4
1jade
2jade, gem, precious stone
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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#8599DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 玉 means.
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.
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.
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).
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.
When to use 玉
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).
玉 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 玉
玉
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Practice writing 玉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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
Which one
Which one 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
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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。
wǒmen de shēnghuó suīrán bìngfēi jǐn yī yù shí， yě suànshì yī shí wú yōu。
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 jīnnián yùmǐ dà fēngshōu。
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 jǐ fēn bù zìzai.
His sudden appearance took Chang Su - su unawares, and she fidgeted uneasily.
4
那头牛弄断系绳,跑到玉米田里去了.
nà tóu niú nòng duàn jì shéng, pǎo dào yùmǐ tián lǐ qù le.
The cow had broken its tether and was in the cornfield.
In the ancient society , she was destined to be a tragedian.
8
卷子, 玉米松饼、小甜面包 、 鸡蛋饼, 滴滴答答的黄油, 每顿饭都有.
juǎnzi, yùmǐ sōng bǐng、 xiǎo tián miànbāo、 jīdàn bǐng, dī dī dá dá de huáng yóu, měi dùn fàn dōu yǒu.
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 zhēnzhèng shǐ liú yù líng chéng míng de hái yào suànshì1997 nián de yǐngpiàn《 tián xīn qiào jiā rén 》.
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 tiáowèi zhī de yùmǐ báo bǐng
tortilla chips dipped in a picante sauce
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Cultural Notes for 玉
🌏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guósurname Guo
宝bǎovariant of 寶
玺xǐimperial signet, royal signet
璧bìa jade annulus
莹yíngbright, lustrous, sparkling like a gem
钰yùrare treasure
珏juétwo gems mounted together
瑿yī
璺wèna crack in porcelain
匤qū
琞shèng
琧è
瑩yíngbright, lustrous, sparkling like a gem
瑬liú
璗dàng
璽xǐimperial signet, royal signet
瓕mí
砡yù
鈺yùrare treasure
閠rùn
Words containing this character20
玉米yùmǐcorn
玉yùjade
玉米饼yùmǐbǐngcorn cake玉米餅
玉石yùshíprecious stones
玉米粉yùmǐfěncornflour
玉米面yùmǐmiàncornmeal玉米麵
玉女yùnǚbeautiful woman
玉器yùqìjade artifact
白玉báiyùwhite jade
林黛玉líndàiyùLin Daiyu, female character in The Dream of Red Mansions, cousin and thwarted lover of Jia Baoyu 賈寶玉|贾宝玉
玉兰yùlánYulan magnolia玉蘭
玉林yùlínYulin prefecture level city in Guangxi
张曼玉zhāngmànyùMaggie Cheung (1964-), Hong Kong actress張曼玉
宝玉bǎoyùprecious jade寶玉
亭亭玉立tíngtíngyùlìslender and elegant (of a woman)
金科玉律jīnkēyùlǜgolden rule
金玉jīnyùprecious
玉手yùshǒulily-white hands
玉帝yùdìthe Jade Emperor
金童玉女jīntóngyùnǚa golden couple
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 玉
What does 玺 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.
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