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奥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
奥àoAustrianr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoAustriannr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoOlympicnr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoOlympicsnr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoobscurenr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àomysteriousnr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àomysterious, obscure, profound; used in transliterationsnr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoabbr. for 奧地利nr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoabbr. for 奧林匹克nr, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoabbr. for 奧地利|奥地利[Ao4 di4 li4]unknown, 12 strokes, radical 大, rank #2248, Medium
奥àoabbr. 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
  1. 1Austria
  2. 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

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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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Etymology of 奥

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

Simplified form of 奧. Origin unclear.

Memory hint

A person 大 discovering a house 宀 full of rice 米

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

Origin

What kind of character is 奥?

Decomposition of 奥

IDS Structure⿱⿵宀米大
奥Full character
=
宀gai4
enclosing
米Mi3
inner
大da4
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 奥?

How to say Austria in Chinese

“Austria” in Chinese is奥ào

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

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 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
奥尔特曼制造的一些紧张氛围开始缓解。

ào ěr tè màn zhìzào de yìxiē jǐnzhāng fēnwéi kāishǐ huǎnjiě。

Some of the tension Altman builds up starts to sag.
2
快点儿，奥斯蒙德，你闲站着干什么。

kuàidiǎnr， ào Sī mēng dé， nǐ xián zhàn zhe gànshénme。

Come along, Osmond. No sense in your standing around.
3
“利奥，我妈妈觉得我不应该再在这儿麻烦你了，”格雷丝说。

“ lì ào， wǒ māma juéde wǒ bù yīnggāi zài zài zhèr máfan nǐ le，” gé léi sī shuō。

"Mum thinks I should stop imposing on your hospitality, Leo," said Grace.
4
奥瑞克斯是一家设在达拉斯的石油和天然气勘探生产公司。

ào ruì kè Sī shì yī jiā shè zài dá lā Sī de shíyóu hé tiānránqì kāntàn shēngchǎn gōngsī。

Oryx is a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration and production concern.
5
最吸引人注意的是皮埃尔·奥古斯特·雷诺阿的油画。

zuì xīyǐn rén zhùyì de shì pí āi ěr· ào gǔ Sī tè· léi nuò Ā de yóuhuà。

The centre of attraction was Pierre Auguste Renoir's oil painting.
6
这件事可能是在他们为娜奥米争吵的过程中发生的。

zhè jiàn shì kěnéng shì zài tāmen wèi nà ào mǐ zhēngchǎo de guòchéng zhōng fāshēng de。

It could have happened during a quarrel between them over Naomi.
7
这位长腿美女不是别人，正是咱们的娜奥米·坎贝尔。

zhè wèi cháng tuǐ měinǚ bùshì biérén， zhèngshì zánmen de nà ào mǐ· kǎn bèi ěr。

The leggy beauty was none other than our own Naomi Campbell.
8
这位网球明星与他的奥地利教练分道扬镳。

zhè wèi wǎngqiú míngxīng yǔ tā de ào dì lì jiàoliàn fēn dào yáng biāo。

The tennis star has parted company with his Austrian trainer.
9
别人给娜奥米一匹小型马并教会她如何侧骑马。

biérén gěi nà ào mǐ yī pǐ xiǎoxíng mǎ bìng jiāo huì tā rúhé cè qí mǎ。

Naomi was given a pony and taught to ride side-saddle.
10
在世界体坛上，一枚奥运会金牌是最令人向往的奖项。

zài shìjiè tǐ tán shàng， yī méi àoyùnhuì jīnpái shì zuì lìng rén xiàngwǎng de jiǎngxiàng。

An Olympic gold medal is the most sought-after prize in world sport.
11
我有一个朋友住在奥地利。

Wǒ yǒu yī gè péngyou zhù zài Àodìlì.

I have a friend living in Austria.
12
奥地利的风景很美。

Àodìlì de fēngjǐng hěn měi.

The scenery in Austria is beautiful.
13
他想去奥地利旅游。

Tā xiǎng qù Àodìlì lǚyóu.

He wants to travel to Austria.
14
奥地利在欧洲。

Àodìlì zài Ōuzhōu.

Austria is in Europe.
15
我去过奥地利，那里的音乐很有名。

Wǒ qùguò Àodìlì, nàlǐ de yīnyuè hěn yǒumíng.

I have been to Austria, the music there is very famous.
16
我想学习奥地利的文化，因为很有趣。

Wǒ xiǎng xuéxí Àodìlì de wénhuà, yīnwèi hěn yǒuqù.

I want to learn about Austrian culture because it's very interesting.

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Word Family of 奥

Compounds6
澳àobay, cove, dock, inlet
燠yùwarm; warmth
隩ào
礇yù
襖ǎocoat, jacket, outerware
鐭yù
Words containing this character18
奥àoAustria奧
奥运àoyùnOlympic Games奧運
奥运会àoyùnhuìOlympic Games奧運會
奥斯卡àosīkǎ(name) Oscar奧斯卡
奥迪àodíAudi奧迪
奥地利àodìlìAustria奧地利
奥林匹克àolínpǐkèOlympic奧林匹克
新奥尔良xīn’ào’ěrliángNew Orleans, Louisiana新奧爾良
奥斯汀àosītīngAustin, Texas奧斯汀
奥委会àowěihuìOlympic committee奧委會
冬奥会dōng’àohuìWinter Olympics冬奧會
奥秘àomìsecret奧祕
深奥shēnàoprofound深奧
奥克兰àokèlánAuckland (New Zealand city)奧克蘭
奥妙àomiàomarvelous奧妙
奥兰多àolánduōOrlando奧蘭多
奥巴马àobāmǎBarack Obama (1961-), US Democrat politician, president 2009-2017奧巴馬
奥马哈àomǎhāOmaha奧馬哈
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 奥

What does 澳 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 奥

奥 refers to the Olympics, with 奥林匹克 being the full term for the Olympic Games.

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