unknown, 17 strokes, radical 黑, rank #46645, Very Hard
yǒu(you3) T3
1black
2dark green
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
黝yǒu(you3)
The character 黝 (yǒu) primarily means 'black' or 'dark green'. It is often used in contexts related to colors, particularly to describe darker shades. This term can also convey a sense of depth and richness in color, frequently appearing in literary or poetic texts.
Strokes17Radical黑Frequency#46645DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, colors have deep symbolic meanings. The use of 黝 can evoke feelings of mystery or elegance, often found in poetry and art that explores themes of nature and darkness.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 黝 as a deep, dark shadow (the black color) casting over a green landscape. The left side (黑 hēi) resembles a shadow, while the right side (尤 yóu) evokes the idea of something particularly dark or deep. Imagine a black forest at night to help remember 'yǒu' and its meaning.
Meanings of 黝
yǒu(you3)
1black
2dark green
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 黝
黝Simplified
17Strokes
黑Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 黝
Podcast: 黝
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 黝
Quick Contrast
黯 (àn) - use 黝 (yǒu) for darker shades with richness, while 黯 (àn) often implies a sense of gloom or sadness.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 黝 with similar characters like 黑 (hēi), which also means black but is more commonly used. This word is more formal and literary, so it’s less likely to be used in everyday conversations. Be mindful of the third tone, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 黝 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words describing colors, which are frequently encountered at HSK Level 3 and above. Focus on recognizing the tone and context in which this character appears, especially in written texts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 黝 with the more common 黑 (hēi), using it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, saying '我喜欢黝的颜色' instead of '我喜欢黑色' (I like black).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 黝
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 黝 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2The sound half幼 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayblack
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 黝? 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 黝?
Decomposition of 黝
IDS Structure⿰黑幼
黝Full Character
=
黑Hei1
left
幼you4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 黝?
How to say black in Chinese
“black” in Chinese is黝yǒu
The character 黝 (yǒu) primarily means 'black' or 'dark green'. It is often used in contexts related to colors, particularly to describe darker shades. This term can also convey a sense of depth and richness in color, frequently appearing in literary or poetic texts.
When to use 黝
Learners often confuse 黝 with similar characters like 黑 (hēi), which also means black but is more commonly used. This word is more formal and literary, so it’s less likely to be used in everyday conversations. Be mindful of the third tone, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
黝 or something close to it
黯 (àn) - use 黝 (yǒu) for darker shades with richness, while 黯 (àn) often implies a sense of gloom or sadness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 黝 with the more common 黑 (hēi), using it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, saying '我喜欢黝的颜色' instead of '我喜欢黑色' (I like black).
Write 黝
黝
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 黝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 黝
黝 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他们在海边呆了几个星期，皮肤晒得____黑发亮。
Their skin was tanned and glowing from their weeks at the sea.
Example Sentences for 黝 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们在海边呆了几个星期，皮肤晒得黝黑发亮。
tā mén zài hǎi biān dāi le jī gè xīng qī， ， pí fū shài dé yǒu hēi fā。
Their skin was tanned and glowing from their weeks at the sea.
2
他是个身材修长、表情庄重、皮肤黝黑的帅小伙。
tā shì gè shēn cái xiū cháng、 、 biǎo qíng zhuāng、 zhòng 、 pí fū yǒu hēi de shuài。
