杳 (yǎo) - distant and out of sight & dark

杳Tone 3

yǎo ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 木

嬿一

杳 · yǎo

distant and out of sight;

dark;

deep;

obscure;

to disappear without a trace

distant and out of sightdarkdeep

Usage highlights

disappear without a traceno news whatsoeverdeserted and uninhabitedvanished completelydeep and remotedark and obscure

Synonyms

  • 暗— dark
  • 幽— deep, secluded
  • 冥— dark, obscure

Antonyms

  • 明— bright, clear
  • 显— obvious, apparent
  • 现— appear, manifest

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sound of the bell faded into the distance (音信杳无).
  • He disappeared without a trace (杳无音信).
  • The path disappeared into the deep forest (杳无人迹).

Collocations

  • disappear without a trace(杳无踪迹)
  • no news whatsoever(杳无音信)
  • deserted and uninhabited(杳无人迹)
  • vanished completely(杳然无踪)
  • deep and remote(杳冥)
  • dark and obscure(杳暗)

Idioms

  • Disappear like the yellow crane(杳如黄鹤)
  • No news for a long time(杳无音信)
  • Not a trace to be found(杳无踪迹)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted the sun setting below the trees, representing darkness and obscurity.
  • In classical Chinese literature, often used to describe complete disappearance or profound silence.
  • Represents the philosophical concept of the unknowable or that which transcends ordinary perception.

FAQ