unknown, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #28704, Very Hard
yú(yu2) T2
1elm tree
2elm
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March 24, 2026
榆yú(yu2)
榆 (yú) refers to the elm tree, a type of deciduous tree commonly found in temperate regions. In Chinese culture, elm trees are often associated with resilience and longevity, making them a symbol of strength in nature. They are also significant in traditional medicine and landscaping.
Strokes13Radical木Frequency#28704DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the elm tree is often planted near homes for its protective qualities and to symbolize stability. This reflects the cultural value placed on nature as a source of strength and harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine an elm tree with its strong, broad branches reaching towards the sky. The character 榆 looks like a tree (木) with a 'U' shape (亾) on top, which can remind you of the tree's expansive canopy. Picture yourself sitting under this tree, enjoying its shade, to remember both the form and sound of 'yú'.
Meanings of 榆
yú(yu2)
1elm tree
2elm
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 榆
榆Simplified
13Strokes
木Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 榆
Podcast: 榆
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AI Study Notes for 榆
Usage Notes
榆 is mainly used in botanical contexts or discussions about trees. It is important to note that it is less common in everyday conversation, so using it in more formal or academic settings is advisable. Be careful with the tone; 'yú' is the second tone, which can be mistaken for other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 榆 is not a standard HSK word, it can be relevant for learners at HSK 3 and above when studying nature or discussing plants. Students should focus on recognizing how it fits into more complex sentences about the environment and nature-related vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 榆 with other tree-related characters due to similar components. For example, confusing 榆 (elm) with 杨 (poplar) is common; remember that 榆 specifically refers to the elm tree.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 榆
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Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 俞 represents the sound.
1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
2The sound half俞 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaytree
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 榆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 榆?
Decomposition of 榆
IDS Structure⿰木俞
榆Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
俞shu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 榆?
How to say elm tree in Chinese
“elm tree” in Chinese is榆yú
榆 (yú) refers to the elm tree, a type of deciduous tree commonly found in temperate regions. In Chinese culture, elm trees are often associated with resilience and longevity, making them a symbol of strength in nature. They are also significant in traditional medicine and landscaping.
When to use 榆
榆 is mainly used in botanical contexts or discussions about trees. It is important to note that it is less common in everyday conversation, so using it in more formal or academic settings is advisable. Be careful with the tone; 'yú' is the second tone, which can be mistaken for other similar-sounding words.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 榆 with other tree-related characters due to similar components. For example, confusing 榆 (elm) with 杨 (poplar) is common; remember that 榆 specifically refers to the elm tree.
Write 榆
榆
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Practice writing 榆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 榆
榆 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这也是张很不错的桌子，____木的，很结实。
It was a good table too, sturdily constructed of elm.
Example Sentences for 榆 (6)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这也是张很不错的桌子，榆木的，很结实。
zhè yě shì zhāng hěn bù cuò de zhuō zǐ， ， yú mù， de ， hěn。
It was a good table too, sturdily constructed of elm.
2
我在一棵快要枯死的榆树的树洞里安了家。
wǒ zài yī kē kuài yào kū sǐ de yú shù de shù dòng lǐ ān le jiā。
I made my home there, in the hollow of a dying elm.
3
失之东偶,收之桑榆.
shī zhī dōng ǒu, , shōu zhī sāng.
Whatlose in the hundred will be found in the shire.
4
失鳕得鲱;失之东隅,收之桑榆.
shī xuě dé fēi; ; shī zhī dōng, yú , shōu zhī.
What we lose in hake we shall have in herring.
5
兰州蕨菜的主要产地在榆中南山的二阴地区.
lán zhōu jué cài de zhǔ yào chǎn dì zài yú zhōng nán shān de èr yīn dì qū.
Lanzhou fern in the main origin of the Yuzhong Nanshan Yam area.
