Definitions

yōu (adjective) leisurely; relaxed
yōu (adjective) remote in time or space; distant
yōu (adjective) long-lasting; drawn out
yōu (adjective) to be worried; pensive

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 悠 is a phono-semantic compound: the lower component 心 (xīn), meaning "heart", provides the semantic category, while the upper-right portion 攸 (yōu) contributes the pronunciation. Its original sense related to prolonged thought or pensiveness, a meaning directly tied to the "heart" radical. Over time, this concept of temporal extension broadened to include physical distance and length, eventually giving rise to the modern sense of leisurely, unhurried, or relaxed, where an extended timeframe implies a lack of rush.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的生活很闲。

Tā de shēnghuó hěn yōuxián.

His life is very leisurely.

这首歌旋律扬。

Zhè shǒu gē xuánlǜ yōuyáng.

This song has a melodious melody.

中国有久的历史。

Zhōngguó yǒu yōujiǔ de lìshǐ.

China has a long history.

长的假期结束了。

Yōucháng de jiàqī jiéshùle.

The long vacation has ended.

地走着。

Tā yōuyōu de zǒuzhe.

She walks leisurely.

故事发生在远的古代。

Gùshì fāshēng zài yōuyuǎn de gǔdài.

The story takes place in the distant ancient times.

你做事要着点。

Nǐ zuòshì yào yōuzhe diǎn.

You should take it easy when doing things.

我们享受闲的下午茶时光。

Wǒmen xiǎngshòu yōuxián de xiàwǔchá shíguāng.

We enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea time.