瑜 (yú) — fine jade

Definition

A bound literary term meaning 'fine jade,' used almost exclusively in set phrases like 瑕不掩瑜 or as 瑜玉. On its own it appears mainly in names to connote beauty or virtue.

bound form
fine jade
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，瑜。
    Jǐn guǎn yǒu xiē xiǎo wèn tí, dàn xiá bù yǎn yú.
    Despite some small issues, one flaw does not obscure the jade.
  • ，瑜。
    Zhè kuài yù zhì dì xì nì, kě chēng wéi yú yù.
    This piece of jade has a fine texture and can be called fine jade.
  • 瑜。
    yú Zài zhōng wén xìng míng zhōng cháng yòng yú biǎo shì měi hǎo.
    Yu is often used in Chinese names to signify beauty.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
俞
俞yú瑜yú
Same sound today

瑜 pairs 玉 (jade) with 俞, which supplies the sound.

Appears in
Materials & Substances

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