# Yao

/ˈjaʊ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yao
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a group of people living in the mountains of southern China and nearby countries like Vietnam. They have their own unique languages and famous traditions, such as colorful clothing and long hair.

For teachers: a diverse group of ethnic minorities inhabiting the mountainous regions of southern China and Southeast Asia. The term encompasses several distinct linguistic and cultural subgroups, such as the Iu Mien and Kim Mun.

## Examples

- The Yao people are famous for their beautiful traditional clothes.
- Many Yao communities maintain a traditional lifestyle in the high mountains, where they practice terraced farming and intricate embroidery.
- Anthropological studies of the Yao highlight the complex relationship between their diverse linguistic branches and the shared cultural identity maintained through Taoist-influenced religious rituals and oral histories.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a collective noun ('the Yao') or as an attributive modifier ('Yao culture').

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