窈

yǎo

幼 + 穴

Definitions

yǎo (literary) deep; profound; dim (variant of 杳[yǎo])

Etymology phono-semantic

cave

Semantic: 穴 Phonetic: 幼

About

窈 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 穴 (cave, hole, deep space) placed above the phonetic component 幼 (yòu), yielding the pronunciation yǎo. Its core senses center on depth, profound quietness, and seclusion. The character frequently appears in the literary compound 窈窕, describing a gentle, elegant, demure woman or a deeply tranquil, secluded landscape. The cave radical supplies the spatial notion of depth and isolation, which then extends metaphorically to refined elegance and serene quiet.