夜宵 (yèxiāo) refers to a late-night snack typically enjoyed after dinner, often favored by people who stay up late or work night shifts. It's a common practice in Chinese culture, especially among students or young professionals, to grab a small meal or snack during the late hours as a way to recharge.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
yèxiāo(ye4xiao1) T4
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May 27, 2026
夜宵yèxiāo(ye4xiao1)
夜宵 (yèxiāo) refers to a late-night snack typically enjoyed after dinner, often favored by people who stay up late or work night shifts. It's a common practice in Chinese culture, especially among students or young professionals, to grab a small meal or snack during the late hours as a way to recharge.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In many cities in China, street vendors selling 夜宵 become popular after dark, offering a variety of foods from skewered meats to dumplings, contributing to the vibrant nightlife culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sneaking into the kitchen at night, whispering 'ye' as they tiptoe past sleeping family members to grab their favorite snack. The '夜' (night) component represents the time, while '宵' (dinner) reminds you that this snack is taken after the main meal, making it a stealthy yet satisfying treat.
About 夜宵
夜宵Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 夜宵
Podcast: 夜宵
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AI Study Notes for 夜宵
Quick Contrast
宵夜 (xiāoyè) - use 夜宵 (yèxiāo) for a more casual or snack-like connotation, while 宵夜 (xiāoyè) may imply a more substantial late-night meal.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sneaking into the kitchen at night, whispering 'ye' as they tiptoe past sleeping family members to grab their favorite snack. The '夜' (night) component represents the time, while '宵' (dinner) reminds you that this snack is taken after the main meal, making it a stealthy yet satisfying treat.
Usage Notes
夜宵 is often used in informal contexts, so it's best suited for casual conversations with friends or family. Learners may confuse it with '早餐' (breakfast), but remember that 夜宵 specifically refers to nighttime eating. Common collocations include '吃夜宵' (to eat a late-night snack) and '准备夜宵' (to prepare a late-night snack).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, students should focus on using 夜宵 in conversation about daily routines and preferences. Connecting this word to other food-related vocabulary, such as '小吃' (snack) or '晚餐' (dinner), will help reinforce its meaning and usage.
Cultural Note
In many cities in China, street vendors selling 夜宵 become popular after dark, offering a variety of foods from skewered meats to dumplings, contributing to the vibrant nightlife culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 夜宵 with '夜餐' (night meal), which is less commonly used; the correct term for a late-night snack is 夜宵. Another mistake is using 夜宵 to refer to breakfast, which is incorrect as it specifically denotes a nighttime snack.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 夜宵
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Cultural Notes for 夜宵
🏮Cultural insight
In many cities in China, street vendors selling 夜宵 become popular after dark, offering a variety of foods from skewered meats to dumplings, contributing to the vibrant nightlife culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 夜宵
Common 夜宵 foods include noodles, dumplings, or fried snacks, often enjoyed casually with friends.
It can vary; it's usually convenient and tasty but might not always be the healthiest option depending on what you choose.
It's primarily informal, so it's best to avoid using 夜宵 in formal writing or conversations.
