How to Say
How to Write
Also pronounced: yè
Radical: 扌 11 strokes
Meaning: to tuck
💡 Imagine tucking something with your hand (扌) at night (夜).
Compounds

📚 Character Story & Explanation

掖 (yē) meaning in English —

掖 (yē) means 'to tuck in' or 'to hide'. It combines 扌 (hand) with 夜 (night), suggesting tucking something away as if in the dark. In Chinese culture, tucking is a common action in daily life—tucking a shirt into pants (掖衣服) or tucking a child into bed (掖被子). The character reflects a practical, hands-on worldview where small actions maintain order and comfort.

💬 Example Sentences

Common Compounds

Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up

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