HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
to swim
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
>游[yóu]
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
to walk
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
to tour
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
to roam
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
to travel
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
游
yóu
to wander, to travel, to tour, to roam
HSK 2, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2419, Medium
yóu(You2) T2
1to swim
2>游[yóu]
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March 24, 2026
游(遊)yóu(You2)
The character 游 (yóu) primarily means 'to swim' or 'to travel.' It can also signify wandering or roaming, and is commonly used in contexts related to leisure activities, such as touring or sightseeing. This character evokes a sense of movement and exploration, both in water and on land.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#2419DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 游 is often associated with traditional leisure activities such as visiting scenic spots and enjoying nature. The concept of 游 has historical significance, as many poets and scholars in ancient China wrote about their travels and explorations in nature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named You (游) swimming in a beautiful lake. The character has a water radical (氵) on the left, symbolizing water, which connects to its meaning of swimming. Picture the person exploring the lake's surroundings, which helps you remember that 游 also means to roam and travel.
Meanings of 游
yóu(You2)
1to swim
2to walk
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 游
游Simplified
遊Traditional
12Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2419Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 游
Podcast: 游
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AI Study Notes for 游
Quick Contrast
游 (yóu) vs 漂 (piāo): Choose 游 for activities involving swimming or traveling, while 漂 emphasizes drifting or floating without a specific destination.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named You (游) swimming in a beautiful lake. The character has a water radical (氵) on the left, symbolizing water, which connects to its meaning of swimming. Picture the person exploring the lake's surroundings, which helps you remember that 游 also means to roam and travel.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 游 with other similar verbs like 走 (zǒu, to walk) or 行 (xíng, to go/travel), which have different nuances. 游 is often used in both formal and informal settings but is especially prevalent in travel contexts. Pay attention to the tone; mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
游 is a useful verb that connects well with HSK vocabulary related to travel and leisure, such as 旅游 (lǚyóu, to travel) and 游览 (yóulǎn, to tour). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and using it in sentences about your travel experiences to reinforce learning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 游 is often associated with traditional leisure activities such as visiting scenic spots and enjoying nature. The concept of 游 has historical significance, as many poets and scholars in ancient China wrote about their travels and explorations in nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 游 when referring to walking or commuting, confusing it with 走 (zǒu). For example, saying '我游去学校' (wǒ yóu qù xuéxiào) is incorrect; it should be '我走去学校' (wǒ zǒu qù xuéxiào).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 游
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Grammar Patterns of 游
游 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 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.
The view of lake and plunging cliffs seduces visitors.
8
导游简要地介绍了那个遗址的历史。
dǎo yóu jiǎn yào dì jiè shào le nà gè yí zhǐ de lì shǐ。
A guide gives a brief talk on the history of the site.
9
这是我所见过的最速成的游泳课。
zhè shì wǒ suǒ jiàn guò de zuì sù chéng de yóu yǒng kè。
It was the quickest swimming lesson I'd ever witnessed.
10
悬吊的屋顶下是一条宽阔的游廊。
xuán diào de wū dǐng xià shì yī tiáo kuān kuò de yóu láng。
There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
Cultural Notes for 游
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 游 is often associated with traditional leisure activities such as visiting scenic spots and enjoying nature. The concept of 游 has historical significance, as many poets and scholars in ancient China wrote about their travels and explorations in nature.
Word Family of 游
Words Containing This Character20
游戏yóuxìgame遊戲
旅游yóutrip旅遊
游yóuto walk遊
游泳yóuyǒngswimming
游客yóukètraveler遊客
游行yóuxíngmarch遊行
游泳池yóuyǒngchíswimming pool
游艇barge遊艇
上游shàngyóuupper level
游荡to wander遊蕩
导游dǎoyóutour guide導遊
下游xiàyóulower level
游览yóulǎnto tour遊覽
旅游业tourism industry旅遊業
游戏机yóuxìjīvideo game遊戲機
出游chūyóuto go on a tour出遊
环游to travel around (the world, a country etc)環遊
漫游mànyóuto roam漫遊
游击队guerrilla band遊擊隊
游离to disassociate遊離
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 游戏 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 游
No, while 游 primarily means 'to swim,' it also encompasses the meanings of traveling, roaming, and touring.
Yes, 游 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing travel or leisure activities.
Common phrases include 游泳 (yóuyǒng, to swim) and 游览 (yóulǎn, to tour).
