Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
犪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
犪kuíyakx, 25 strokes, radical 牛
kuí(kui2) T2
  1. 1yak
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

犪kuí(kui2)

The character 犪 (kuí) refers specifically to a type of domestic animal known as the yak, which is primarily found in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions. Yaks are known for their strength, resilience in cold climates, and are often used as pack animals or for their milk and meat. In agricultural contexts, they are considered vital to the livelihoods of the communities that raise them.

Strokes25Radical牛
Cultural Note

In Tibetan culture, yaks are not just animals; they hold significant cultural importance, often featured in festivals and traditional practices. They symbolize strength and endurance, reflecting the rugged lifestyle of the Tibetan people.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong, shaggy yak trudging through a snowy landscape. The character 犪 looks like a yak with its sturdy legs and fluffy body, while 'kuí' sounds like 'quay'—picture a yak waiting at a quay to cross a chilly river, emphasizing its connection to cold, mountainous regions.

Meanings of 犪

kuí(kui2)
1yak
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 犪

犪Simplified
25Strokes
牛Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 犪

JasonAmy

Podcast: 犪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 犪

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing this character with similar-looking characters or mispronouncing it due to its less frequent usage. While 'kuí' is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it may appear in more specialized contexts such as agriculture or discussions about livestock. Be cautious with the tone, as incorrect tone can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As a character not included in the HSK levels, it's beneficial for students at higher levels to expand their vocabulary related to animals and agriculture. Connecting 'kuí' to other animal-related words will enhance contextual understanding. Practicing pronunciation is crucial since it may not be intuitive.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 犪 with similar characters like 犬 (dog) due to their visual similarity. Correct usage should reinforce that 犪 specifically refers to yaks, while 犬 pertains to dogs.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 犪

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 犪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 犪

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

ox

Semantic (meaning)牛
+
Phonetic (sound)夔
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 犪

  1. 1The meaning half牛 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half夔 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayox
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 犪? 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 犪?

Decomposition of 犪

IDS Structure⿰牛夔
犪Full Character
=
牛Niu2
left
夔Kui2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 犪?

How to say yak in Chinese

“yak” in Chinese is犪kuí

The character 犪 (kuí) refers specifically to a type of domestic animal known as the yak, which is primarily found in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions. Yaks are known for their strength, resilience in cold climates, and are often used as pack animals or for their milk and meat. In agricultural contexts, they are considered vital to the livelihoods of the communities that raise them.

When to use 犪

Common mistakes include confusing this character with similar-looking characters or mispronouncing it due to its less frequent usage. While 'kuí' is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it may appear in more specialized contexts such as agriculture or discussions about livestock. Be cautious with the tone, as incorrect tone can lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 犪 with similar characters like 犬 (dog) due to their visual similarity. Correct usage should reinforce that 犪 specifically refers to yaks, while 犬 pertains to dogs.

Write 犪

犪

Practice writing 犪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 犪

A yak is a long-haired domesticated bovid found in the Himalayas, known for its ability to survive in harsh, cold climates.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 犪?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.