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March 24, 2026
纽(紐)niǔ(niu3)
The character 纽 (niǔ) primarily means 'to turn' or 'to twist,' and it can also refer to a 'knot' or 'button.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical manipulation, such as tying or fastening items, and in metaphorical senses related to connections or relationships.
Strokes7Radical纟Frequency#8872DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of tying knots can symbolize unity and connection, often seen in traditional crafts like knot tying (中国结), which have cultural significance in festivals and weddings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'new' button (纽 sounds like 'new') that you need to twist to fasten. Visualize twisting a knot to tighten it, where each turn makes it more secure, symbolizing how this character represents turning and tying.
Meanings of 纽
niǔ(niu3)
1to turn
2to wrench
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 纽
纽Simplified
紐Traditional
7Strokes
纟Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#8872Frequency Rank
Podcast: 纽
Podcast: 纽
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AI Study Notes for 纽
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'new' button (纽 sounds like 'new') that you need to twist to fasten. Visualize twisting a knot to tighten it, where each turn makes it more secure, symbolizing how this character represents turning and tying.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as 纽 is pronounced with a falling-rising tone (ǔ), which can be confused with similar characters that have different meanings. It is often used in compound words, such as 纽扣 (niǔkòu), meaning 'button.' Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary might be expected.
HSK Study Tips
Although 纽 is not in the official HSK vocabulary list, it shares components with other characters at HSK levels 2 and 3. Focus on its usage in daily life contexts and compound words to strengthen vocabulary connections.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of tying knots can symbolize unity and connection, often seen in traditional crafts like knot tying (中国结), which have cultural significance in festivals and weddings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 纽 with similar-sounding characters like 牛 (niú), meaning 'cow.' For instance, saying '我想要一个牛扣' instead of '我想要一个纽扣' (I want a button) is a common error. Always remember that 纽 relates to turning and fastening.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 纽
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Grammar Patterns of 纽
纽 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 5 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 5
Complete the Sentence
他的继承人把这幅画卖给了伦敦艺术品经销商阿格____斯。
His heir sold the painting to the London art dealer Agnews.
Example Sentences for 纽 (10)
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1
他的继承人把这幅画卖给了伦敦艺术品经销商阿格纽斯。
tā de jì chéng rén bǎ zhè fú huà mài gěi le lún dūn yì shù pǐn jīng xiāo shāng ā gé niǔ sī。
His heir sold the painting to the London art dealer Agnews.
Rodgers can also claim four victories in the New York Marathon.
9
我解开了自己黄灰相间的衬衫上最下面的两个纽扣。
wǒ jiě kāi le zì jǐ huáng huī xiāng jiān de chèn shān shàng zuì xià miàn de liǎng gè niǔ kòu。
I undid the bottom two buttons of my yellow and grey shirt.
10
制服上装中间的纽扣在他的肚子上绷得紧紧的。
zhì fú shàng zhuāng zhōng jiān de niǔ kòu zài tā de dù zǐ shàng bēng dé jǐn jǐn de。
The middle button of his uniform jacket was strained over his belly.
Cultural Notes for 纽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of tying knots can symbolize unity and connection, often seen in traditional crafts like knot tying (中国结), which have cultural significance in festivals and weddings.
Word Family of 纽
Words Containing This Character17
纽约New York紐約
纽niǔto turn紐
枢纽shūniǔhinge樞紐
纽带niǔdàitie紐帶
纽约时报New York Times (newspaper)紐約時報
纽扣niǔkòubutton紐扣
纽约州New York state紐約州
纽约市New York City紐約市
纽卡斯尔Newcastle (place name)紐卡斯爾
纽伦堡Nürnberg or Nuremberg, town in Bavaria, Germany紐倫堡
纽约证券交易所New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)紐約證券交易所
维尔纽斯Vilnius, capital of Lithuania維爾紐斯
纽芬兰Newfoundland Island, Canada紐芬蘭
纽瓦克Newark (place name)紐瓦克
纽约大学New York University紐約大學
纽西兰New Zealand (Tw)紐西蘭
纽奥良New Orleans, Louisiana紐奧良
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 纽约 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 纽
It is often used to describe actions like twisting a knob or fastening a button.
Yes, it can represent connections or relationships, similar to how you tie different aspects of your life together.
Yes, 纽扣 (niǔkòu) meaning 'button' is a common phrase to know.
