Chinese word

绣

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiù

Meaning

  • verbembroider

Example

我奶奶会用手在布上绣花。wǒ nái nǎi huì yòng shǒu zài bù shàng xiù huā

My grandmother can embroider flowers on cloth by hand.

Illustration for 绣 (embroider)

More examples

店里的裙子上用金线绣了复杂的花纹。diàn lǐ de qún zi shàng yòng jīn xiàn xiù le fù zá de huā wén

The dress in the store was embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread.

Core concept

Needle and thread build a visible decorative pattern across cloth.

Common phrases

  • 绣字xiù zì

    embroider characters

  • 机器绣jī qì xiù

    embroider by machine

  • 用针绣yòng zhēn xiù

    embroider with a needle

Similar words

刺绣cì xiù: Creating fine decorative designs on cloth through traditional needlework.
缝fèng: Sewing pieces or edges of fabric together with a needle and thread.
缝补féng bǔ: Mending holes or tears in cloth so it can be used again.

Definition in Chinese

用针在布面通过线的排列形成装饰性的图案或花样。yòng zhēn zài bù miàn tōng guò xiàn de pái liè xíng chéng zhuāng shì xìng de tú àn huò huā yàng

Word origin

绣 (xiù, "embroider") combines 纟 (sī, "silk thread") as a meaning component with 秀 (xiù, "show") as a sound component, pointing to decorative threadwork.

Usage tips

  • English also uses "embroider" figuratively for adding invented details to a story, but 绣 (xiù, "embroider") normally refers to literal needlework in everyday Chinese.

Related words

  • 刺绣cì xiùembroiderynoun
  • 绣法xiù fǎembroidery techniquenoun
  • 绣花针xiù huā zhēnembroidery needlenoun

Word lists with this word