犹 yóu — like · English

犹

yóu

At a glance · 犹

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「犹」从犬酋声，小篆从犬猷省声，形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「犹」本指猿类兽名（犹猢），引申如同、还、犹豫。

Structure

从犬、酋声，形声字，犬表兽类义类，本为兽名，借为如、尚。

At a glance

Pinyinyóu

Radical犭

Strokes7

UnicodeU+72B9

Character type形声

Theme动物

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English like like, similar to, just like, as

Français comme / encore Comme, encore. «犹子比儿» : le neveu est comme un fils.

Español como / aún Como, aún. «犹子比儿»: el sobrino es como un hijo.

العربية مثل / ما زال مثل، ما زال. «犹子比儿»: ابن الأخ كالابن.

Русский как / ещё Как, ещё. «犹子比儿»: племянник как сын.

Common words

犹如yóu rúlike
犹豫yóu yùhesitate

◉ Listen