呦 (yōu) - An interjection expressing surprise, exclamation, or calling attention & onomatopoeic for the cry of a deer.

呦Tone 1

yōu ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 口

咏与

呦 · yōu

An interjection expressing surprise, exclamation, or calling attention;

onomatopoeic for the cry of a deer.

An interjection expressing surprise, exclamation, or calling attentiononomatopoeic for the cry of a deer.

Usage highlights

OhDeer cryHeyOh myOuch

Synonyms

  • 哎— interjection expressing surprise or regret
  • 噢— interjection expressing understanding or surprise
  • 啊— interjection expressing various emotions

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Oh my!(呦！)
  • The deer cried out (呦呦鹿鸣).
  • Hey, look at this!(呦，你看这个！)

Collocations

  • Oh(呦)
  • Deer cry(呦呦)
  • Deer cry(呦呦鹿鸣)
  • Hey(呦呵)
  • Oh my(哎呦)
  • Ouch(哎呦)

Idioms

  • The deer cry out to each other(呦呦鹿鸣)
  • Oh my god(哎呦我的天)
  • Ouch, it hurts(哎呦疼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted the cry of a deer, as seen in the Classic of Poetry.
  • Used as an interjection in modern Chinese to express surprise, pain, or calling attention.
  • Appears in classical literature, giving it a poetic and somewhat archaic feel.

FAQ