黝

yǒu

幼 + 黑

Frequency#3518

Definitions

yǒu black; dark green

Etymology phono-semantic

black

Semantic: 黑 Phonetic: 幼

About

The character "黝" structurally combines the radical "黑", which denotes blackness, with the component "幼" that primarily functions as a phonetic indicator. Etymologically, it originated to describe a dark black color, often with subtle greenish or bluish undertones. Over time, its application shifted from broader use for various dark hues to a more specific reference for intense blackness, particularly evident in terms like "黝黑" which describes a dark complexion or deeply colored surfaces. The character's composition has remained consistent, with "黑" conveying the core semantic field of color and "幼" providing auditory association.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的皮肤黝黑发亮。

Tā de pīfū yǒuhēi fāliàng.

His skin is dark and shiny.

那个水手有张黝黑的脸。

Nàgè shuǐshǒu yǒu zhāng yǒuhēi de liǎn.

That sailor has a dark-skinned face.

烈日把他晒得皮肤黝黑。

Lièrì bǎ tā shài dé pífū yǒuhēi.

The scorching sun tanned his skin dark.

这块黝黑的石头非常坚硬。

Zhè kuài yǒuhēi de shítou fēicháng jiānyìng.

This dark black stone is very hard.

他的胳膊被晒成健康的黝黑色。

Tā de gēbo bèi shài chéng jiànkāng de yǒuhēisè.

His arms were tanned to a healthy dark color.

山洞里一片黝暗，什么也看不见。

Shāndòng lǐ yīpiàn yǒu'àn, shénme yě kàn bú jiàn.

It was pitch dark inside the cave, and nothing could be seen.

他黝黑的面庞上刻满了岁月的痕迹。

Tā yǒuhēi de miànpáng shang kè mǎn le suìyuè de hénjì.

His dark face was etched with the traces of time.

在黝黯的夜色中，灯塔的光芒显得格外明亮。

Zài yǒu'àn de yèsè zhōng, dēngtǎ de guāngmáng xiǎndé géwài míngliàng.

In the dark night, the light from the lighthouse appeared格外明亮.

Related Characters

Component: 幼

Component: 黑

黝