绣 (xiù) - embroider & embroidery

绣Tone 4

xiù ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

绣 · xiù

embroider;

embroidery;

to embroider;

ornate;

decorated

embroiderembroideryto embroider

Usage highlights

embroideryembroider flowersSuzhou embroideryembroidery needleembroidery threadembroidery frame

Synonyms

Antonyms

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

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She learned traditional embroidery (刺绣) from her grandmother.
  • The dress was beautifully embroidered with flowers (绣花).
  • This is a piece of Suzhou embroidery (苏绣).
  • He wore a robe with golden embroidery (金绣).

Collocations

  • embroidery(刺绣)
  • embroider flowers(绣花)
  • Suzhou embroidery(苏绣)
  • embroidery needle(绣针)
  • embroidery thread(绣线)
  • embroidery frame(绣架)

Idioms

  • Flowers on brocade, splendor added to splendor(锦上添花)
  • Embroidered pillow, straw inside(绣花枕头)
  • Beautiful scenery like brocade and embroidery(锦绣河山)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Chinese embroidery has a long history dating back thousands of years, with famous regional styles like Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan embroidery.
  • Embroidery was traditionally an important skill for women and was considered a mark of refinement and virtue.
  • The 'Four Great Embroideries' of China refer to the distinctive styles from Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan.

FAQ