HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Hard
绣
xiù
to embroider
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Hard
绣
xiù
embroidery
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Hard
绣
xiù
to embroider; embroidery; ornament
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Hard
xiù(xiu4) T4
1>绣[xiù]
2to embroider
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March 24, 2026
绣(綉)xiù(xiu4)
The character 绣 (xiù) primarily means 'to embroider' or 'embroidery.' It is often used in contexts related to textile arts, decorative sewing, and craftsmanship. In addition to its literal meaning, it can also imply ornamentation or embellishment in a broader sense.
Strokes10Radical纟Frequency#15257DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Embroidery has a significant place in Chinese culture, with various regional styles such as Suzhou embroidery known for its exquisite detail and artistry. The practice is often associated with cultural heritage and is a popular subject in Chinese festivals and art exhibitions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful embroidered piece of fabric that catches your eye. The character 绣 resembles a thread weaving through fabric, symbolizing the act of embroidery. The pronunciation 'xiù' can be remembered by picturing a 'shoe' stepping carefully to avoid damaging the intricate design.
Meanings of 绣
xiù(xiu4)
1to embroider
2embroidery
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 绣
绣Simplified
綉Traditional
10Strokes
纟Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#15257Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 绣
Podcast: 绣
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AI Study Notes for 绣
Quick Contrast
刺 (cì) - use 绣 (xiù) when referring to decorative sewing techniques, while 刺 (cì) emphasizes the act of piercing or pricking, often in a more aggressive or literal sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a beautiful embroidered piece of fabric that catches your eye. The character 绣 resembles a thread weaving through fabric, symbolizing the act of embroidery. The pronunciation 'xiù' can be remembered by picturing a 'shoe' stepping carefully to avoid damaging the intricate design.
Usage Notes
When using 绣, be careful about the context; it is generally used in more formal settings related to art or craft. Common collocations include 绣花 (xiù huā - to embroider flowers) and 绣品 (xiù pǐn - embroidered items). Watch out for mispronunciation; the tone is crucial as 'xiu' with the wrong tone could lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 绣 connects to themes of art and craftsmanship, which are common in advanced vocabulary. Students should focus on using it in sentences about traditional Chinese arts and crafts, enhancing their descriptive language skills.
Cultural Note
Embroidery has a significant place in Chinese culture, with various regional styles such as Suzhou embroidery known for its exquisite detail and artistry. The practice is often associated with cultural heritage and is a popular subject in Chinese festivals and art exhibitions.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing 绣 with similar-sounding words like 修 (xiū - to repair). For example, saying '我修花' (Wǒ xiū huā) instead of '我绣花' (Wǒ xiù huā) changes the meaning from 'I repair flowers' to 'I embroider flowers.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绣
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Grammar Patterns of 绣
绣 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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
玛蒂尔达在一块有花鸟图案的祭坛布上刺____。
Matilda was embroidering an altar cloth covered with flowers and birds.
Example Sentences for 绣 (10)
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1
玛蒂尔达在一块有花鸟图案的祭坛布上刺绣。
mǎ dì ěr dá zài yī kuài yǒu huā niǎo tú àn de jì tán bù shàng cì xiù。
Matilda was embroidering an altar cloth covered with flowers and birds.
2
“你从哪儿弄到那件刺绣品的？”——“我自己绣的。”
“ “ nǐ cóng nǎ ér nòng dào nà jiàn cì xiù pǐn？”——“ de ？”——“ wǒ zì jǐ。”
"Where did you get that embroidery?" — "I made it myself."
Stuyvesant had his career before him , untouched and quivering, like a still ungathered flower.
8
毛巾上绣着他们姓名首字母的连写组合。
máo jīn shàng xiù zháo tā mén xìng míng shǒu zì mǔ de lián xiě zǔ hé。
The towels were embroidered with their intertwined initials.
9
一件美丽的刺绣品
yī jiàn měi lì de cì xiù pǐn
a beautiful piece of embroidery
10
我在这枕头上绣了野花.
wǒ zài zhè zhěn tóu shàng xiù le yě huā.
I embroidered wild flowers on the pillow.
Cultural Notes for 绣
🏮Cultural insight
Embroidery has a significant place in Chinese culture, with various regional styles such as Suzhou embroidery known for its exquisite detail and artistry. The practice is often associated with cultural heritage and is a popular subject in Chinese festivals and art exhibitions.
Word Family of 绣
Words Containing This Character10
绣xiùto embroider繡
刺绣cìxiùto embroider刺繡
绣花to embroider繡花
锦绣beautiful錦繡
锦绣前程bright future錦繡前程
绣花鞋embroidered shoes繡花鞋
湘绣Hunan embroidery湘繡
花拳绣腿highly embellished and ineffectual花拳繡腿
锦心绣口(of writing) elegant and ornate錦心繡口
刺绣品embroidery刺繡品
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 绣 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 绣
You can say, '她喜欢绣花' (Tā xǐhuān xiù huā - She likes to embroider flowers).
While it primarily refers to fabric embroidery, it can also metaphorically describe embellishing or decorating other forms, like art or writing.
Think of 'xiù' as sounding like 'shoe,' which can help you recall the word when thinking about beautiful embroidered shoes.
