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哱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
哱bōonomatopoeiczg, 10 strokes, radical 口
哱bōphonetic bounknown, 10 strokes, radical 口
哱bōused in onomatopoeiaunknown, 10 strokes, radical 口
bō(bo1) T1
  1. 1onomatopoeic
  2. 2phonetic bo
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

哱bō(bo1)

The character 哱 (bō) is an onomatopoeic word that expresses sounds, often used to mimic noises associated with certain actions or feelings. It can also refer to the phonetic representation of sounds, making it a versatile term in colloquial expressions and creative language contexts.

Strokes10Radical口
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, onomatopoeic words like 哱 are frequently used in literature and children's stories to create vivid imagery and engage the audience's imagination, reflecting the importance of sound in storytelling.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bird, like a hoopoe, making a unique sound that resembles 'bō'. The character 哱 visually resembles a mouth (口) making a sound, with the radical for sound (口) prominently featured, helping you remember its connection to auditory expressions.

Meanings of 哱

bō(bo1)
1onomatopoeic
2phonetic bo
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 哱

哱Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 哱

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Podcast: 哱

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 哱

Usage Notes

哱 is primarily used in informal contexts, especially in creative or expressive language, such as poetry or storytelling. Learners often confuse it with more common sound words, so it's important to use it in specific onomatopoeic contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 哱 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be connected to other onomatopoeic words at higher HSK levels. Focus on listening and pronunciation to appreciate its sound-based nature.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 哱 as 'bā' instead of the correct 'bō'. Additionally, it's common to use it in inappropriate contexts, such as formal discussions, where it doesn't fit.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 哱

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Etymology of 哱

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)孛
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 哱

  1. 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half孛 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymouth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 哱? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 哱?

Decomposition of 哱

IDS Structure⿰口孛
哱Full Character
=
口kou3
left
孛bei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 哱?

How to say onomatopoeic in Chinese

“onomatopoeic” in Chinese is哱bō

The character 哱 (bō) is an onomatopoeic word that expresses sounds, often used to mimic noises associated with certain actions or feelings. It can also refer to the phonetic representation of sounds, making it a versatile term in colloquial expressions and creative language contexts.

When to use 哱

哱 is primarily used in informal contexts, especially in creative or expressive language, such as poetry or storytelling. Learners often confuse it with more common sound words, so it's important to use it in specific onomatopoeic contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 哱 as 'bā' instead of the correct 'bō'. Additionally, it's common to use it in inappropriate contexts, such as formal discussions, where it doesn't fit.

Write 哱

哱

Practice writing 哱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 哱

Words Containing This Character1
哱bōphonetic bo
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 哱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 哱

No, 哱 is typically used in informal contexts, such as poetry or casual conversation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 哱?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.