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March 24, 2026
喟kuì(kui4)
The character 喟 (kuì) means to heave a sigh or to express a deep emotional feeling through a sigh. It is often used to convey feelings of sadness, disappointment, or nostalgia, typically in a poetic or literary context. This word can also imply a sense of longing or regret.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sighs can signify deep contemplation or reflection, often seen in traditional poetry and storytelling. 喟 embodies the cultural value of introspection and emotional expression.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person who is so overwhelmed by their emotions that they let out a loud sigh, making the sound 'kuì' as they release their feelings. The character itself resembles a mouth (口) making a sighing sound, emphasizing the act of expressing emotions verbally.
Meanings of 喟
kuì(kui4)
1heave sigh, sigh
2to sigh
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 喟
喟Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 喟
Podcast: 喟
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AI Study Notes for 喟
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person who is so overwhelmed by their emotions that they let out a loud sigh, making the sound 'kuì' as they release their feelings. The character itself resembles a mouth (口) making a sighing sound, emphasizing the act of expressing emotions verbally.
Usage Notes
喟 is often used in literary contexts and may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Be cautious with the tone; it should be pronounced with a falling tone (kuì). Common collocations include phrases related to expressing emotions or reflections.
HSK Study Tips
Although 喟 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can provide context when learning about emotional expressions in Chinese literature. Focus on understanding its usage in poems or stories to better appreciate its nuances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sighs can signify deep contemplation or reflection, often seen in traditional poetry and storytelling. 喟 embodies the cultural value of introspection and emotional expression.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 喟 with more common sighing words like 叹 (tàn) or 呜 (wū). For example, saying '我喟了一口' (I sighed) is correct, but using '我叹了喟' (I sighed with kuì) is incorrect; 叹 and 喟 should not be mixed.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 喟
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Cultural Notes for 喟
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sighs can signify deep contemplation or reflection, often seen in traditional poetry and storytelling. 喟 embodies the cultural value of introspection and emotional expression.
Word Family of 喟
Words Containing This Character2
喟kuìto sigh
感喟sighing with emotion
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 喟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 喟
喟 specifically conveys a deeper emotional sigh, often associated with sadness or longing, while other words may just indicate a casual sigh.
It's more appropriate in literary or formal contexts; in casual settings, simpler terms for sighing may be better.
Yes, it is pronounced with a falling tone (kuì), so be mindful of that when using it.
