mysterious, obscure, profound; used in transliterations
nr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥
ào
abbr. for 奧地利
nr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥
ào
abbr. for 奧林匹克
nr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥
ào
abbr. for 奧地利|奥地利[Ao4 di4 li4]
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥
ào
abbr. for 奧林匹克|奥林匹克[Ao4 lin2 pi3 ke4]
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
ào(Ao4)ao T4
1Austria
2Austrian
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March 24, 2026
奥(奧)ào(Ao4)
The character 奥 (ào) primarily refers to Austria, its culture, and its people. It can also denote the Olympic Games, embodying the concepts of obscurity and profundity, often used in contexts that suggest depth or mystery.
Strokes12Radical大Frequency#2248DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the term 奥 also reflects the country's interest in international events like the Olympics, highlighting the significance of athletic competition and national pride.
Memory Tip
Imagine an 'A' for Austria hidden behind a thick curtain (the character's form), suggesting something obscure or mysterious. The 'A' sound in 'ào' can help you remember that it relates to Austria and also the concept of the ‘Olympics’ which can be a grand, profound event.
Meanings of 奥
ào(Ao4)
1Austria
2Austrian
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 奥 means.
About 奥
奥Simplified
奧Traditional
12Strokes
大Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#2248Frequency Rank
Podcast: 奥
Podcast: 奥
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AI Study Notes for 奥
Usage Notes
奥 is typically used in formal contexts when referring to Austria or the Olympics. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, so pay attention to tone. Remember that it can also imply something deep or mysterious in literature.
HSK Study Tips
Although 奥 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 4 words related to countries and events. Students should focus on its pronunciation and context in relation to geography and cultural references.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly say 'ào' with a rising tone instead of the correct falling tone. For instance, saying 'áo' instead of 'ào' can change the meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 奥
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How Well Do You Know 奥?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 奥 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 奥 (ào) primarily refers to Austria, its culture, and its people. It can also denote the Olympic Games, embodying the concepts of obscurity and profundity, often used in contexts that suggest depth or mystery.
When to use 奥
奥 is typically used in formal contexts when referring to Austria or the Olympics. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, so pay attention to tone. Remember that it can also imply something deep or mysterious in literature.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say 'ào' with a rising tone instead of the correct falling tone. For instance, saying 'áo' instead of 'ào' can change the meaning entirely.
Write 奥
奥
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Practice writing 奥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 奥
奥 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 11 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.
____尔特曼制造的一些紧张氛围开始缓解。
Some of the tension Altman builds up starts to sag.
Example Sentences for 奥 (10)
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1
奥尔特曼制造的一些紧张氛围开始缓解。
ào ěr tè màn zhì zào de yī xiē jǐn zhāng fēn wéi kāi shǐ huǎn jiě。
Some of the tension Altman builds up starts to sag.
