yāo

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Character · Adjective · VerbTraditional夭

luxuriant; die young

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 7 examples
1.

adjective

luxuriant; flourishing (of vegetation)

literary

Primarily used in classical/literary contexts, often in the phrase 桃之夭夭.

Táo桃
zhī之
yāo夭
yāo夭
 ，
zhuó灼
zhuó灼
qí其
huá华
 。

The peach tree is young and luxuriant, with brilliant blossoms.

Cǎo草
mù木
yāo夭
yāo夭
 ，
shēng生
jī机
bó勃
bó勃
 。

The vegetation is lush and full of vitality.

2.

verb

to die young; to die before adulthood

Often used in compounds like 夭折. Can be used as a transitive verb in classical Chinese.

Zhè这
hái孩
zi子
bù不
xìng幸
yāo夭
zhé折
le了
 。

Unfortunately, this child died young.

Tā他
yīng英
nián年
zǎo早
shì逝
 ，
shí实
zài在
lìng令
rén人
wǎn惋
xī惜
 。

He died in the prime of life, which is truly regrettable.

Show 1 more example
Bù不
xìng幸
yāo夭
wáng亡

to die an untimely death

3.

adjective

tender; fresh; youthful (of plants or appearance)

literary

Describes the tender state of young plants or a youthful appearance.

Yāo夭
táo桃
nóng秾
lǐ李

beautiful peaches and plums (used to describe beautiful young women)

Zhè这
xiē些
yòu幼
miáo苗
hái还
hěn很
yāo夭
nèn嫩
 ，
xū需
yào要
xiǎo小
xīn心
hē呵
hù护
 。

These seedlings are still very tender and need careful nurturing.