Definitions

yáo surname Yao; Yao or Tang Yao (c. 2200 BC), one of the Five legendary Emperors 五帝[wǔ dì], second son of Di Ku 帝嚳|帝喾[dì kù]

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a mound of dirt () on top of a platform (), representing the meaning "tall; lofty", later used to describe the legendary Emperor Yao.

About

The character "尧" derives from its traditional form "堯", a composite structure integrating "垚", which denotes elevated earth through its triple soil component, with "兀", conveying a sense of loftiness, to form a semantic whole meaning "high" or "eminent". Originally functioning as the proper name for a mythic sage-king, the character's early usage established an enduring association with exemplary virtue and supreme authority. Over time, while its primary reference to the ancient ruler persisted, the character also broadened into other nominal domains such as surnames and personal names, consistently retaining its core connotations of nobility and ethical height. The graphical evolution to the current form "尧" involved a reduction in compositional complexity, yet preserved the essential ideographic suggestion of elevation inherent in its ancestral components.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我叫张

Wǒ jiào Zhāng Yáo.

My name is Zhang Yao.

我弟弟叫

Wǒ dìdi jiào Yáoyao.

My younger brother is called Yaoyao.

是我的同学。

Wáng Yáo shì wǒ de tóngxué.

Wang Yao is my classmate.

舜是古代贤君。

Yáo Shùn shì gǔdài xián jūn.

Yao and Shun were virtuous rulers of antiquity.

这个传说起源于的时代。

Zhège chuánshuō qǐyuán yú Yáo de shídài.

This legend originated from the era of Yao.

人们常把天舜日当作理想社会。

Rénmen cháng bǎ Yáotiān Shùnrì dàng zuò lǐxiǎng shèhuì.

People often regard the eras of Yao and Shun as an ideal society.

历史课上我们学习了的治国方略。

Lìshǐ kè shang wǒmen xuéxí le Yáo de zhìguó fānglüè.

In history class, we studied Yao's strategies for governing the country.

研究时期的文化有助于理解华夏文明的源头。

Yánjiū Yáo shíqī de wénhuà yǒu zhù yú lǐjiě Huáxià wénmíng de yuántóu.

Studying the culture of the Yao period helps in understanding the origins of Huaxia civilization.