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噩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
噩èbad, ill-omened, unluckyn, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #44596, Very Hard
噩èstartlingunknown, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #44596, Very Hard
è(e4)e T4
  1. 1bad, ill-omened, unlucky
  2. 2startling
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March 24, 2026

噩è(e4)

The character 噩 (è) refers to something that is bad, ill-omened, or unlucky, often associated with something startling or shocking. It can be used in contexts that describe an ominous event or a disturbing experience, conveying a sense of negativity or fear.

Strokes16Radical口Frequency#44596DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of bad omens is significant, especially in folklore and superstitions. The character 噩 may appear in stories or sayings that relate to unfortunate events, underscoring the culture's sensitivity to luck and misfortune.

Memory tip

Imagine a loud, startling noise (like a scream) that makes you feel uneasy. The character 噩 has the radical for 'speech' (口) at its base, indicating communication, while the rest of the character can remind you of the unexpectedness of a bad omen. Visualize a ghostly figure shouting bad news, making you feel shocked and worried.

Meanings of 噩

è(e4)
1bad, ill-omened, unlucky
2startling
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 噩 means.

About 噩

噩Simplified
16Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 噩

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Podcast: 噩

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AI study notes for 噩

Quick Contrast

噩 (è) vs 恶 (è) — use 噩 for something ominous or shocking, while 恶 refers to something evil or malicious.

Usage Notes

This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, which can lead to mistakes in context. It's important to use it in appropriate situations, such as discussing superstitions or frightening experiences. Be careful with its tone; the fourth tone (è) can be easily confused with other tones.

HSK Study Tips

While 噩 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it shares thematic connections with other characters describing bad luck or misfortune. Students should focus on its usage in literature or cultural references to grasp its full meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 噩 with similar sounding characters like 恶 (è), which means 'evil' or 'wicked'. Remember that 噩 specifically relates to bad omens and shocking events, whereas 恶 has a more general negative moral implication.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 噩

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Etymology of 噩

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A jade statue 王 with four holes made in it 口

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 噩?

Decomposition of 噩

IDS Structure⿻王⿱⿰口口⿰口�
噩Full character
=
王Wang2
outer
口kou3
left
口kou3
right
口kou3
left
口kou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 噩?

How to say bad, ill-omened, unlucky in Chinese

“bad, ill-omened, unlucky” in Chinese is噩è

The character 噩 (è) refers to something that is bad, ill-omened, or unlucky, often associated with something startling or shocking. It can be used in contexts that describe an ominous event or a disturbing experience, conveying a sense of negativity or fear.

When to use 噩

This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, which can lead to mistakes in context. It's important to use it in appropriate situations, such as discussing superstitions or frightening experiences. Be careful with its tone; the fourth tone (è) can be easily confused with other tones.

噩 or something close to it

噩 (è) vs 恶 (è) — use 噩 for something ominous or shocking, while 恶 refers to something evil or malicious.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 噩 with similar sounding characters like 恶 (è), which means 'evil' or 'wicked'. Remember that 噩 specifically relates to bad omens and shocking events, whereas 恶 has a more general negative moral implication.

Write 噩

噩

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

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Grammar patterns of 噩

噩 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

毕业税具体操作起来不啻一场行政____梦。

In practice a graduate tax is an administrative nightmare.

Example sentences for 噩 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
毕业税具体操作起来不啻一场行政噩梦。

bìyè shuì jùtǐ cāozuò qǐlái bù chì yī chǎng xíngzhèng è mèng。

In practice a graduate tax is an administrative nightmare.
2
监狱里的那些年是一场噩梦。

jiānyù lǐ de nàxiē nián shì yī chǎng è mèng。

The years in prison were a nightmare.
3
对大多数父母来说,发现自己的孩子吸毒简直就是场噩梦。

duì dàduōshù fùmǔ lái shuō, fāxiàn zìjǐ de háizi xīdú jiǎnzhí jiùshì chǎng è mèng。

Discovering your child takes drugs is a nightmare scenario for most parents.
4
好像噩梦初醒时那样觉得生命是何等的可爱.

hǎoxiàng è mèng chū xǐng shí nàyàng juéde shēngmìng shì héděng de kě’ài.

Life seemed particularly sweet, as it does after awakening from a nightmare.

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Word Family of 噩

Words containing this character5
噩梦èmèngnightmare噩夢
噩耗èhàogrievous news
浑浑噩噩húnhún’è’èmuddleheaded渾渾噩噩
噩èstartling
噩运èyùnbad luck噩運
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 噩

What does 噩梦 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 噩

No, 噩 is more often found in literary contexts or discussions about superstitions.

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