诱 yòu to tempt
to tempt; to persuade; to entice; guide
How to remember 诱: 讠 words + 秀 elegant = to tempt. With sweet words and an elegant tray of cakes, the waiter tries to tempt Grandma, who swore she was on a diet.
Component breakdown
诱 = 讠 words + 秀 elegant
- 讠 words
- 秀 elegant
- 禾 grain
- 乃 then
With sweet words and an elegant tray of cakes, the waiter tries to tempt Grandma, who swore she was on a diet.
How it is used
- 'To entice/lure/induce' - 诱惑 (yòuhuò) temptation, 引诱 (yǐnyòu) to lure/seduce, 诱导 (yòudǎo) to guide/induce, 利诱 (lìyòu) to tempt with gain, 诱饵 (yòu'ěr) bait.
- Two poles: negative luring toward harm (引诱, 诱骗) and neutral 'induce/elicit' (诱发疾病, trigger illness). 循循善诱 (xúnxún-shànyòu) is to patiently, skillfully guide a learner.