How common it is
腰 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yāo slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“腰”是指身体中间的部分，连接上半身和下半身。
“Yāo” shì zhǐ shēntǐ zhōngjiān de bùfèn, liánjiē shàngbànshēn hé xiàbànshēn.
"Waist" refers to the middle part of the body, connecting the upper body and lower body.
Context note
小朋友运动时要保护好腰，不要扭伤。
Xiǎo péngyǒu yùndòng shí yào bǎohù hǎo yāo, bùyào niǔshāng.
Children should protect their waist when exercising to avoid spraining it.
5 examples
我的腰有点酸。
wǒ de yāo yǒu diǎn suān。
My waist is a bit sore.
他弯下腰捡起铅笔。
tā wān xià yāo jiǎn qǐ qiān bǐ。
He bent his waist to pick up the pencil.
妈妈系上腰带。
mā ma xì shàng yāo dài。
Mom fastens her waist belt.
跳舞时腰要挺直。
tiào wǔ shí yāo yào tǐng zhí。
When dancing, the waist should be straight.
他用手扶着腰。
tā yòng shǒu fú zhe yāo。
He supports his waist with his hand.
5 mini stories
小明在体育课上扭了腰。老师帮他轻轻按摩。
xiǎo míng zài tǐ yù kè shàng niǔ le yāo。 lǎo shī bāng tā qīng qīng àn mó。
Xiao Ming twisted his waist in PE class. The teacher gently massaged him.
小红跳舞时腰很柔软。大家都为她鼓掌。
xiǎo hóng tiào wǔ shí yāo hěn róu ruǎn。 dà jiā dōu wèi tā gǔ zhǎng。
Xiao Hong's waist was very flexible when dancing. Everyone applauded for her.
爸爸每天做运动锻炼腰。他说这样身体好。
bà ba měi tiān zuò yùn dòng duàn liàn yāo。 tā shuō zhè yàng shēn tǐ hǎo。
Dad exercises his waist every day. He says it's good for health.
小猫伸了个懒腰。然后继续睡觉。
xiǎo māo shēn le gè lǎn yāo。 rán hòu jì xù shuì jiào。
The kitten stretched its waist. Then it continued sleeping.
老师教我们站直时腰要用力。这样姿势才正确。
lǎo shī jiào wǒ men zhàn zhí shí yāo yào yòng lì。 zhè yàng zī shì cái zhèng què。
The teacher taught us to use our waist when standing straight. Only then is the posture correct.