Definition
优 is a bound form (b.f.) — it cannot stand alone as an independent word but appears as the first element in many common two-syllable compounds. Its core meanings are 'excellent/superior' (优秀, 优美), 'ample/generous' (优厚), and 'preferential/priority' (优惠, 优先). The historical sense 'actor/actress' (from traditional 優) is now rare in modern Mandarin.
b.f.
(bound form) excellentsuperior (e.g., 优秀 yōuxiù, 优美 yōuměi)(bound form) amplegenerous (e.g., 优厚 yōuhòu)(bound form) preferentialprioritized (e.g., 优惠 yōuhuì, 优先 yōuxiān)
Examples
- 。Tā zhè cì kǎoshì qǔdé le yōu xiù de chéngjì.He achieved excellent results in this exam.
- ，。Zhè jiā chāoshì de dōngxi hěn yōu huì, wǒ jīngcháng lái mǎi.The things at this supermarket are very discounted; I often come to buy.
- ，。Yù dào wēixiǎn shí, wǒmen yīnggāi yōu xiān bǎohù lǎorén hé háizi.When in danger, we should give priority to protecting the elderly and children.
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