虞 (yú) - Yu — ancient state name & surname

虞Tone 2

yú ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

虞 · yú

Yu — ancient state name;

surname;

anxiety, worry;

deception, fraud;

in classical Chinese, also means 'to anticipate' or 'to prepare for'.

Yu — ancient state namesurnameanxiety, worry

Usage highlights

Surname YuNo anxietyTo deceive each otherYu StateYu ShunTo anticipate danger

Synonyms

  • 忧— worry, anxiety
  • 虑— concern, consideration
  • 诈— deception, fraud

Antonyms

  • 安— peace, safety
  • 信— trust, faith

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He has the surname Yu (姓虞).
  • There is no need for anxiety (无虞).
  • This is an act of deception (尔虞我诈).
  • The ancient state of Yu was located here (古虞国).

Collocations

  • Surname Yu(虞姓)
  • No anxiety(无虞)
  • To deceive each other(尔虞我诈)
  • Yu State(虞国)
  • Yu Shun(虞舜)
  • To anticipate danger(虞度危险)

Idioms

  • Deceiving and being deceived(尔虞我诈)
  • The parable of the Duke of Guo and Duke of Yu(唇亡齿寒, originally involving Yu)
  • High枕无忧(High枕无虞 - sleeping peacefully without worry)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Ancient state during Zhou Dynasty, famously destroyed after lending passage to Jin to attack Guo.
  • Surname tracing back to Yu Shun (舜), one of the legendary Five Emperors.
  • In classical texts, often used to mean 'official in charge of mountains and forests'.
  • The character carries connotations of both nobility (as surname/state) and caution/worry.

FAQ