All meanings
- waist
- lower back
- middle
- loins
In context
Example sentences
长时间坐在电脑前工作，他的腰经常感到酸痛。
Cháng shíjiān zuò zài diànnǎo qián gōngzuò, tā de yāo jīngcháng gǎndào suāntòng.
Working in front of a computer for long periods, his waist often feels sore.
Keep going
Related words
Words with 腰
HSK levels
腰: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
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Frequently Asked Questions
腰 (yāo) means "waist; lower back; pocket; middle; loins" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.
腰 is pronounced "yāo" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.
腰 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.
Common words with 腰 include 下腰 ((gymnastics) to do a bridge), 仗腰 (to back sb up), 半腰 (middle), 叉腰 (to put one's hands on one's hips), 哈腰 (to bend).
You can practice writing 腰 using our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.