繡 (xiù) - embroider & embroidery

繡Tone 4

xiù ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

繡 · xiù

embroider;

embroidery;

to decorate with needlework;

ornate decoration

embroiderembroideryto decorate with needlework

Usage highlights

embroideryembroidered flowerembroidery needleembroidery threadembroidered robebrocade and embroidery

Synonyms

  • 刺绣— embroidery (craft/process)
  • 绣花— embroidered flower/pattern

Antonyms

  • 素— plain; unadorned
  • 朴— simple; unadorned

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is skilled at embroidery (刺绣).
  • This is a piece of Suzhou embroidery (苏绣).
  • The dress has beautiful embroidery (绣花).
  • He received an embroidered robe (绣袍).

Collocations

  • embroidery(刺绣)
  • embroidered flower(绣花)
  • embroidery needle(绣针)
  • embroidery thread(绣线)
  • embroidered robe(绣袍)
  • brocade and embroidery(锦绣)

Idioms

  • Flowers on brocade, embroidery on silk(锦上添花)
  • Embroidered pillowcase stuffed with straw(绣花枕头)
  • Embroidered heart and delicate lungs(绣心绣肺)
  • Gold thread embroidery(金线绣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Embroidery has a long history in China, with regional styles like Suzhou, Hunan, Sichuan, and Guangdong embroidery.
  • In imperial China, embroidered robes indicated official rank through specific animal and design motifs.
  • Embroidery was traditionally an essential skill for women, symbolizing refinement and domestic virtue.

FAQ