Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
噪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
噪zàothe chirping of birds or insectsHSK 4, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #23965, Very Hard
噪zàonoiseHSK 4, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #23965, Very Hard
噪zàoclamorHSK 4, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #23965, Very Hard
噪zàobuzzingHSK 4, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #23965, Very Hard
噪zàodisturbanceHSK 4, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #23965, Very Hard
噪zàoto be noisy; to chirp loudlyHSK 4, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #23965, Very Hard
zào(zao4) T4
  1. 1the chirping of birds or insects
  2. 2noise
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
噪zào(zao4)

The character 噪 (zào) refers to noise or clamor, often associated with unpleasant or disruptive sounds like those made by birds or insects. It can denote any type of loud disturbance, making it relevant in discussions about sound in various contexts such as nature, urban environments, or even social situations.

Strokes16Radical口Frequency#23965DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, noise can be associated with both nature and urban life, reflecting the balance between tranquility and the bustling environment of cities. Festivals often feature loud celebrations, which can be described using 噪.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 噪 (zào) as a bird with its beak open, creating noise. The left side (口) represents the mouth making sounds, while the right side (造) hints at 'creating' noise. Imagine a chaotic scene where birds are chirping loudly, and you can visualize the sound they create.

Meanings of 噪

zào(zao4)
1the chirping of birds or insects
2noise
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 噪

噪Simplified
16Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23965Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4

Podcast: 噪

JasonAmy

Podcast: 噪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 噪

Quick Contrast

嘈 (cáo) - use 噪 (zào) for general noise, while 嘈 (cáo) specifically refers to a noisy, chaotic environment.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of the character 噪 (zào) as a bird with its beak open, creating noise. The left side (口) represents the mouth making sounds, while the right side (造) hints at 'creating' noise. Imagine a chaotic scene where birds are chirping loudly, and you can visualize the sound they create.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 噪 (zào); mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing noise, but tends to appear more in casual conversation about disturbances.

HSK Study Tips

While 噪 (zào) is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates well to other words at HSK levels 3-5 that deal with sound and communication. Focus on how it can be used alongside verbs like 听 (tīng, to listen) and 声音 (shēngyīn, sound) to form complex sentences.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, noise can be associated with both nature and urban life, reflecting the balance between tranquility and the bustling environment of cities. Festivals often feature loud celebrations, which can be described using 噪.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 噪 (zào) with other words related to sound, such as 声 (shēng, sound) or 吵 (chǎo, noisy). For example, saying '我喜欢噪 (zào)' instead of '我喜欢声音 (shēngyīn)' to express liking sounds is incorrect; the former implies a preference for noise.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 噪

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 噪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 噪

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

The sound 口 of birds chirping 喿; 喿 also provides the pronunciation

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 噪?

Decomposition of 噪

IDS Structure⿰口喿
噪Full Character
=
口kou3
left
喿zao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 噪?

Write 噪

噪

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 噪

噪 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 6 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 5

Complete the Sentence

伴随着隆隆的低沉____声，螺旋桨开始旋转起来。

With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.

Example Sentences for 噪 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
伴随着隆隆的低沉噪声，螺旋桨开始旋转起来。

bàn suí zháo lóng lóng de dī chén zào shēng， ， luó xuán jiǎng kāi shǐ xuán zhuǎn qǐ。

With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.
2
在1,000英尺的高度飞行时，他听到旋翼发出一种奇怪的噪音。

zài1,000 1,000 yīng chǐ de gāo dù fēi háng， shí ， tā tīng dào xuán yì fā chū yī zhǒng qí guài de。

Flying at 1,000 ft. he heard a peculiar noise from the rotors.
3
除了车流的噪音，那一晚过得很平静。

chú le chē liú de zào yīn， ， nà yī wǎn guò dé hěn píng。

Except for traffic noise the night passed peacefully.
4
那噪声闹得我简直要疯了。

nà zào shēng nào dé wǒ jiǎn zhí yào fēng le。

That noise is driving me crackers.
5
风力涡轮机个头大、噪音响，还会破坏周边风景。

fēng lì wō lún jī gè tóu dà、 、 zào yīn， xiǎng ， huán huì pò huài zhōu biān。

Wind turbines are large and noisy and they disfigure the landscape.
6
它可能最终会使这个聒噪的知识分子小圈子安静下来。

tā kě néng zuì zhōng huì shǐ zhè gè guō zào de zhī shí fēn zǐ xiǎo quān zǐ ān jìng xià lái。

It might, at last, silence the small but noisy intellectual clique.
7
电动汽车迷们说，电动车清洁、无噪音而且经济。

diàn dòng qì chē mí mén shuō， ， diàn dòng chē qīng、 jié 、 wú zào yīn ér qiě。

Fans of electric cars say they are clean, quiet and economical.
8
她对城市噪音很敏感。

tā duì chéng shì zào yīn hěn mǐn gǎn。

She was acutely aware of the noise of the city.
9
拥挤的人群和喧闹的噪音可能会让游客有些茫然不知所措。

yōng jǐ de rén qún hé xuān nào de zào yīn kě néng huì ràng yóu kè yǒu xiē máng rán bù zhī suǒ cuò。

Sightseers may be a little overwhelmed by the crowds and noise.
10
这里的噪音、建筑物和人都令人出乎意料。

zhè lǐ de zào yīn、 、 jiàn zhù wù hé rén dū líng rén chū hū yì。

The noise, the buildings, the people, came as a revelation.

Cultural Notes for 噪

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, noise can be associated with both nature and urban life, reflecting the balance between tranquility and the bustling environment of cities. Festivals often feature loud celebrations, which can be described using 噪.

Word Family of 噪

Words Containing This Character8
噪音zàoyīnrumble
噪声zàoshēngnoise噪聲
噪zàonoise
聒噪a clamor
鼓噪din
信噪比signal-to-noise ratio
名噪一时to achieve fame among one's contemporaries (idiom); temporary or local celebrity名噪一時
噪杂a clamor噪雜
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 噪音 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 噪

Common phrases include 噪音 (zàoyīn, noise) and 噪声 (zàoshēng, clamor or racket).