幽

yōu

Rank #1636

Definitions

yōu (adjective) secluded; remote; hidden away

yōu (adjective) serene; peaceful

yōu (verb) to imprison

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 𢆶 represents the sound.

About

Structurally composed of 幺, denoting something fine or small, and 山 for mountain, the character 幽 etymologically suggests obscurity or seclusion by evoking the image of minute elements concealed within mountainous terrain, with its original meaning centered on darkness or hiddenness as applied to dim or remote places. Over time, its semantic scope broadened to include connotations of quietness, profundity, and spiritual depth, marking a transition from physical obscurity to abstract qualities of calm and introspection, and in modern contexts it continues to carry these accumulated meanings, found in terms that express tranquility, subtle humor, and ethereal phenomena.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个故事很幽默。

Zhège gùshi hěn yōumò.

This story is very humorous.

公园里非常幽静。

Gōngyuán lǐ fēicháng yōujìng.

The park is very quiet and secluded.

房间里的光线很幽暗。

Fángjiān lǐ de guāngxiàn hěn yōu'àn.

The light in the room is very dim.

这家餐厅的环境很幽雅。

Zhè jiā cāntīng de huánjìng hěn yōuyǎ.

The environment of this restaurant is very elegant and quiet.

我们走进了一个幽谷。

Wǒmen zǒujìnle yīgè yōugǔ.

We walked into a deep valley.

她的眼神中带着一丝幽怨。

Tā de yǎnshén zhōng dàizhe yī sī yōuyuàn.

There is a trace of resentment in her eyes.

这片森林显得格外幽深。

Zhè piàn sēnlín xiǎndé géwài yōushēn.

This forest appears especially deep and serene.

他长期幽闭在自己的房间里。

Tā chángqī yōubì zài zìjǐ de fángjiān lǐ.

He has been confined to his room for a long time.

Related Characters

Component: 山

Component: 𢆶

Components

山𢆶

幽