幼

yòu

力 + 幺

Frequency#1577

Definitions

yòu (adjective) young; childish

Etymology

Someone who is young has weak (幺) strength (力). 幺 also represents the sound.

About

The character "幼" has been used in Chinese for millennia to denote youth or infancy, with its structure combining the component "幺" meaning small and "力" meaning strength, an etymology that suggests underdeveloped strength as a defining trait of the young. Its meaning has consistently centered on early life stages, evident in classical texts and modern compounds like "幼儿" for young child and "幼年" for childhood, without significant semantic shift from its original conception.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个幼儿很可爱。

Zhège yòu'ér hěn kě'ài.

This young child is very cute.

幼儿们在公园里玩。

Yòu'érmen zài gōngyuán lǐ wán.

The young children are playing in the park.

她的幼稚行为让人发笑。

Tā de yòuzhì xíngwéi ràng rén fāxiào.

Her childish behavior makes people laugh.

在幼年时期，他喜欢听故事。

Zài yòunián shíqī, tā xǐhuān tīng gùshi.

During his childhood, he liked listening to stories.

虽然他还幼小，但已经懂得分享。

Suīrán tā hái yòuxiǎo, dàn yǐjīng dǒngde fēnxiǎng.

Although he is still young, he already knows how to share.

幼教工作对儿童发展至关重要。

Yòujiào gōngzuò duì értóng fāzhǎn zhìguān zhòngyào.

Early childhood education is crucial for children's development.

相比于成人，幼儿的学习能力更强。

Xiāngbǐ yú chéngrén, yòu'ér de xuéxí nénglì gèng qiáng.

Compared to adults, young children have stronger learning abilities.

在心理学中，幼年经历会影响人格形成。

Zài xīnlǐxué zhōng, yòunián jīnglì huì yǐngxiǎng réngé xíngchéng.

In psychology, childhood experiences can influence personality formation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 力

Component: 幺

幼