English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Common

yu

yoo

Yu (noun) means an ornate bronze wine vessel used in ancient China, often fitted with a decorative lid. Example: “The museum displayed a bronze yu dating back to the Shang dynasty.”

noun
1
An ornate bronze wine vessel used in ancient China, often fitted with a decorative lid.
"The museum displayed a bronze yu dating back to the Shang dynasty."
2
Jade, or jade-like stone such as nephrite or jadeite, prized in Chinese culture.
"The carving was made from fine yu, polished to a deep green shine."

How to use yu

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA term borrowed from Chinese, referring either to an ancient bronze wine vessel or to jade stone.

Word forms

yu plural, yus plural, Yus plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “yu” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The museum displayed a bronze _____ dating back to the Shang dynasty.

Etymology

Borrowed from Chinese 玉 (yù), meaning "jade."

Origin: Chinese

jade nephrite jadeite wine vessel bronze vessel You Yuu

Related words

Rhymes for yu

See all rhymes for yu →

Frequently asked questions

What does “yu” mean?

The word “yu” means an ornate bronze wine vessel used in ancient China, often fitted with a decorative lid. In plain terms, a term borrowed from Chinese, referring either to an ancient bronze wine vessel or to jade stone.

How do you pronounce “yu”?

“Yu” is pronounced yoo (/juː/ in IPA).

How do you use “yu” in a sentence?

Here is “yu” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed a bronze yu dating back to the Shang dynasty.”

What is another word for “yu”?

Words with a similar meaning to “yu” include You, Yuu and Yū.

What part of speech is “yu”?

“Yu” is a noun.

Where does the word “yu” come from?

The word “yu” comes from Chinese. Borrowed from Chinese 玉 (yù), meaning "jade.".

Is “yu” a common word?

“Yu” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “yu” have?

“Yu” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an ornate bronze wine vessel used in ancient China, often fitted with a decorative lid.

What is the difference between the two meanings of yu?

In one sense, yu is an ornate bronze wine vessel from ancient China, often fitted with a decorative lid. In another, yu refers to jade or a jade-like stone such as nephrite or jadeite prized in Chinese culture.

What was a yu vessel used for in ancient China?

A yu was used as a container for wine. It was typically made of bronze, ornately decorated, and often had a fitted lid.

Is yu a type of jade?

In one of its meanings, yes. Yu can refer to jade or jade-like stone, including nephrite and jadeite, which was highly valued in Chinese culture.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial