耀 yào to sparkle
to sparkle; to shine; to dazzle; glory
How to remember 耀: 光 light + 翟 pheasant = to sparkle. At the zoo the morning light falls on the pheasant, and its long tail begins to sparkle like copper.
Component breakdown
耀 = 光 light + 翟 pheasant
- 光 light
- ⺌ small
- 兀 pedestal
- 翟 pheasant
At the zoo the morning light falls on the pheasant, and its long tail begins to sparkle like copper.
How it is used
- Two jobs: literal shining - 照耀 (zhàoyào) to shine down on, 耀眼 (yàoyǎn) dazzling to the eye; and showing off - 炫耀 (xuànyào) / 夸耀 (kuāyào) to flaunt, brag about.
- Also "glory" in 荣耀 (róngyào) honor/glory. Note the two branches differ in tone: 照耀 is neutral/positive, 炫耀 is negative (flaunting).