About
The phono-semantic character 窈 uses the semantic radical 穴 (cave or deep space) at the top and the phonetic component 幼 (young, originally pronounced "yòu") below, which gives the character its pronunciation "yǎo". Its core meaning refers to depth, profound quietness, or seclusion. In literature, it often appears in the compound 窈窕 to describe a gentle, elegant, and demure woman or a deeply secluded, tranquil landscape. The cave radical provides the foundational idea of spatial depth and isolation, which extends metaphorically to a sense of refined quietness and elegance.
Etymology Hide
