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March 24, 2026
瑶(瑤)yáo(Yao2)
瑶 (yáo) primarily refers to precious jade, symbolizing beauty and value in Chinese culture. It can also denote the Yao ethnic group, known for their rich traditions in southwestern China and Southeast Asia. Additionally, 瑶 is used as a surname and can refer to mother-of-pearl, highlighting its connections to opulence and nature.
Strokes14Radical王Frequency#56720DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, jade is revered not only for its beauty but also for its spiritual significance, symbolizing purity and moral integrity. The Yao ethnic group has a rich cultural heritage, including colorful clothing and traditional festivals, reflecting the diversity of China's ethnic tapestry.
Memory Tip
Think of 瑶 as a beautiful jade stone, shining like a star (the 'y' in 'yáo' sounds like 'y' in 'you' and the shape of the character resembles a gem). Imagine a Yao woman wearing exquisite jade jewelry, showcasing the preciousness of both the stone and her culture.
Meanings of 瑶
yáo(Yao2)
1precious jade
2Yao ethnic group of southwest China and southeast Asia
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 瑶
瑶Simplified
瑤Traditional
14Strokes
王Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 瑶
Podcast: 瑶
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AI Study Notes for 瑶
Usage Notes
瑶 is often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke beauty and preciousness, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Be cautious with tone; the second tone (yáo) must be pronounced correctly to convey the intended meaning. Common collocations include 瑶琴 (yáoqín, 'jade zither') and 瑶池 (yáochí, 'Jade Pool').
HSK Study Tips
瑶 is not currently in the HSK vocabulary list, but it can help learners understand cultural references and enrich their vocabulary. Focus on related words such as 玉 (yù, 'jade') and explore how they connect in usage and meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 瑶 with other similar-sounding characters. For example, saying 'yō' instead of 'yáo' changes the meaning entirely. Always remember to use the second tone when referring to 瑶.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瑶
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Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 䍃 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瑤.
1The meaning half王 carries the sense.
2The sound half䍃 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayjade
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 瑶? 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 瑶?
Decomposition of 瑶
IDS Structure⿰王䍃
瑶Full Character
=
王Wang2
left
䍃you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 瑶?
How to say precious jade in Chinese
“precious jade” in Chinese is瑶yáo
瑶 (yáo) primarily refers to precious jade, symbolizing beauty and value in Chinese culture. It can also denote the Yao ethnic group, known for their rich traditions in southwestern China and Southeast Asia. Additionally, 瑶 is used as a surname and can refer to mother-of-pearl, highlighting its connections to opulence and nature.
When to use 瑶
瑶 is often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke beauty and preciousness, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Be cautious with tone; the second tone (yáo) must be pronounced correctly to convey the intended meaning. Common collocations include 瑶琴 (yáoqín, 'jade zither') and 瑶池 (yáochí, 'Jade Pool').
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 瑶 with other similar-sounding characters. For example, saying 'yō' instead of 'yáo' changes the meaning entirely. Always remember to use the second tone when referring to 瑶.
Write 瑶
瑶
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Word Family of 瑶
Words Containing This Character18
瑶yáojade瑤
琼瑶Chiung Yao (1938-), Taiwanese writer瓊瑤
瑶族Yao ethnic group of southwest China and southeast Asia瑤族
瑶池the Jade lake on Mount Kunlun, residence of Xi Wangmu 西王母瑤池
瑶海区Yaohai district of Hefei city 合肥市[Héféishì], Anhui瑤海區
瑶海Yaohai district of Hefei city 合肥市[Héféishì], Anhui瑤海
都安瑶族自治县Du'an Yao autonomous county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi都安瑤族自治縣
恭城瑶族自治县Gongcheng Yao autonomous county in Guilin 桂林[Guìlín], Guangxi恭城瑤族自治縣
巴马瑶族自治县Bama Yaozu autonomous county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi巴馬瑤族自治縣
江华瑶族自治县Jianghua Yaozu autonomous county in Yongzhou 永州[Yǒngzhōu], Hunan江華瑤族自治縣
乳源瑶族自治县Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County in Shaoguan 韶關|韶关[Sháoguān], Guangdong乳源瑤族自治縣
大化瑶族自治县Dahua Yao Autonomous County in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi大化瑤族自治縣
金秀瑶族自治县Jinxiu Yao autonomous county in Laibin 來賓|来宾[Láibīn], Guangxi金秀瑤族自治縣
连南瑶族自治县Liannan Yao Autonomous County in Qingyuan 清遠|清远[Qīngyuǎn], Guangdong連南瑤族自治縣
富川瑶族自治县Fuchuan Yao autonomous county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi富川瑤族自治縣
金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县Jinping Miao, Yao and Dai autonomous county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture 紅河哈尼族彞族自治州|红河哈尼族彝族自治州[HónghéHānízúYízúZìzhìzhōu], Yunnan金平苗族瑤族傣族自治縣
河口瑶族自治县Hekou Yaozu autonomous county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture 紅河哈尼族彞族自治州|红河哈尼族彝族自治州[HónghéHānízúYízúZìzhìzhōu], Yunnan河口瑤族自治縣
连山壮族瑶族自治县Lianshan Zhuang and Yao autonomous county in Qingyuan 清远, Guangdong連山壯族瑤族自治縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 瑶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瑶
瑶 is not commonly used in everyday speech, but it may appear in poetry or discussions about jade or the Yao ethnic group.
Yes, 瑶 can also be a surname, though it is less common than other Chinese surnames.
瑶 is pronounced with a rising tone, like 'yáo', where your pitch rises as you say it.
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