揄

yú

俞 + 扌

Definitions

yú to draw out; to let hanging

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 俞 represents the sound.

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 俞

About

揄 is a phono-semantic compound combining the hand radical 扌 and the phonetic 俞. The hand radical suggests a manual action, while 俞 provides the pronunciation. Originally, the character meant to pull, drag, or draw something out. Later, it became best known through the compound 揶揄, where it took on the figurative meaning of mocking, ridiculing, or teasing, a shift from physical action to social behavior.