Chinese Character: 娇
1. Character Basics
Radical: 女/nǚ radical (female radical)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiāo (first tone)
3. Meaning
tender, delicate, lovely, charming, spoiled
4. Common Words
- 娇气 (jiāo qì) - squeamish, delicate
- 娇美 (jiāo měi) - delicate and beautiful
- 撒娇 (sā jiāo) - act like a spoiled child
- 娇小 (jiāo xiǎo) - petite and delicate
- 娇惯 (jiāo guàn) - spoil (a child)
- 娇艳 (jiāo yàn) - tender and beautiful
5. Grammar & Usage
"娇" is primarily used as an adjective to describe something or someone as delicate, lovely, or charming.
It is often used to describe women, children, or things that are small and beautiful.
Common structures include "娇+形容词" (娇美, 娇艳) and "娇+动词" (娇气).
It can also be used in the structure "使+宾语+娇" to mean "make someone spoiled" or "cause someone to become delicate"
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the concept of "娇" is often associated with traditional ideals of femininity, emphasizing gentleness and delicacy.
The character appears in many classical Chinese poems describing beautiful women or delicate flowers.
In traditional Chinese families, grandparents often "娇惯" (spoil) their grandchildren, which can sometimes lead to the perception of being "娇气" (squeamish).
Modern interpretations of "娇" have evolved, with some viewing excessive "娇气" as a negative trait, while still appreciating positive qualities like "娇美" (delicate beauty).
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 这个小女孩长得很娇美。
Pinyin: Zhè ge xiǎo nǚhái zhǎng dé hěn jiāoměi.
Translation: This little girl is very delicate and beautiful.
8. Memory Tips
The character "娇" consists of two parts: the radical "女" (female) on the left and "乔" (qiáo) on the right.
The "女" radical indicates that this character is related to femininity or qualities traditionally associated with women.
To remember this character, think of a delicate, charming person (often a woman) who has qualities of tenderness and beauty, as suggested by the combination of "女" and "乔".