HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Very Hard
绣
xiù
embroidery
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Very Hard
绣
xiù
to embroider; embroidery; ornament
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15257, Very Hard
xiù(xiu4)xiu T4
1to embroider
2embroidery
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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#15257DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 绣 means.
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.
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.
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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How Well Do You Know 绣?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 绣 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
绣 = 纟 + 秀. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 绣
IDS Structure⿰纟秀
绣Full Character
=
纟si1
left
秀xiu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 绣?
How to say to embroider in Chinese
“to embroider” in Chinese is绣xiù
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.
When to use 绣
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.
绣 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 绣
绣
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Practice writing 绣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
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."
