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窈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
窈yǎoobscure, secluded; quiet, refinedHSK 7, a, 10 strokes, radical 穴, Very Hard
窈yǎodeepHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 穴, Very Hard
窈yǎoquiet and elegantHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 穴, Very Hard
yǎo(yao3)yao T3
  1. 1obscure, secluded; quiet, refined
  2. 2deep
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March 24, 2026

窈yǎo(yao3)

The character 窈 (yǎo) conveys meanings of obscurity and seclusion, often associated with a quiet and refined nature. It can describe something deep and elegant, frequently used in literary contexts to evoke a sense of tranquility or depth in a scene or feeling.

Strokes10Radical穴DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese poetry, the term 窈 often symbolizes tranquility and deep emotions, reflecting the traditional appreciation for nature and subtlety in expression. It can also be found in idiomatic expressions that convey a sense of serene beauty.

Memory tip

Imagine a deep, secluded valley (窈) where the echoes are soft and the atmosphere is refined. The character has a 'house' radical (穴) which suggests a hidden or enclosed space, hinting at the concept of something being deep and obscure.

Meanings of 窈

yǎo(yao3)
1obscure, secluded; quiet, refined
2deep
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 窈

窈Simplified
10Strokes
穴Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 窈

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AI study notes for 窈

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 窈 with similar-sounding characters due to the subtlety in pronunciation. It typically appears in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation, so it's essential to recognize its formal register. Be mindful of using the correct tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

While 窈 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares nuances with other characters in the same level, such as 深 (shēn, deep) and 隐 (yǐn, hidden). Focus on understanding its use in literary contexts to enhance your reading comprehension skills.

Common Mistakes

Students may mistakenly pronounce 窈 as 'yào' instead of the correct 'yǎo', leading to confusion with other characters. Additionally, using it in casual conversation can be inappropriate, as it is more suited for formal or literary contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 窈

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Etymology of 窈

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

cave

Semantic (meaning)穴
+
Phonetic (sound)幼
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

窈 = 穴 + 幼. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 窈

IDS Structure⿱穴幼
窈Full character
=
穴xue2
top
幼you4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 窈?

How to say obscure, secluded; quiet, refined in Chinese

“obscure, secluded; quiet, refined” in Chinese is窈yǎo

The character 窈 (yǎo) conveys meanings of obscurity and seclusion, often associated with a quiet and refined nature. It can describe something deep and elegant, frequently used in literary contexts to evoke a sense of tranquility or depth in a scene or feeling.

When to use 窈

Learners often confuse 窈 with similar-sounding characters due to the subtlety in pronunciation. It typically appears in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation, so it's essential to recognize its formal register. Be mindful of using the correct tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.

What learners get wrong

Students may mistakenly pronounce 窈 as 'yào' instead of the correct 'yǎo', leading to confusion with other characters. Additionally, using it in casual conversation can be inappropriate, as it is more suited for formal or literary contexts.

Write 窈

窈

Practice writing 窈 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 窈

窈 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这些孩子当中,有的白晰圆胖, 有的黑而____窕.

Some of those children were fair and rounded, others dark and elf - like.

Example sentences for 窈 (1)

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1
这些孩子当中,有的白晰圆胖, 有的黑而窈窕.

zhèxiē háizi dāngzhōng, yǒude bái xī yuán pán, yǒude hēi ér yǎotiǎo.

Some of those children were fair and rounded, others dark and elf - like.

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Word Family of 窈

Words containing this character2
窈窕a seductive woman
窈yǎodeep
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 窈

What does 窈窕 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 窈

You can use it in a phrase like '窈窕淑女' (yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ), which describes a graceful and refined woman.

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