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March 24, 2026
娇(嬌)jiāo(jiao1)
The character 娇 (jiāo) refers to someone or something that is lovable, tender, or pampered. It often describes delicate or frail qualities, especially in a charming or affectionate context. Commonly used to describe children, pets, or romantic partners, it conveys a sense of endearment and fragility.
Strokes9Radical女Frequency#14122DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 娇 (jiāo) is often associated with traditional femininity, where women are perceived as delicate and deserving of protection. This reflects societal values that emphasize tenderness and nurturing in relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a delicate flower (娇) that is loved and pampered by everyone. The flower's soft petals represent its tenderness, and the way it's cared for symbolizes being spoiled. Picture saying 'jiāo' softly as if whispering sweet words to the flower, emphasizing its lovable nature.
Meanings of 娇
jiāo(jiao1)
1lovable
2pampered
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 娇
娇Simplified
嬌Traditional
9Strokes
女Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#14122Frequency Rank
Podcast: 娇
Podcast: 娇
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AI Study Notes for 娇
Quick Contrast
娇 (jiāo) vs 嫩 (nèn) — use 娇 for endearing tenderness, while 嫩 emphasizes softness or youth without the affectionate nuance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a delicate flower (娇) that is loved and pampered by everyone. The flower's soft petals represent its tenderness, and the way it's cared for symbolizes being spoiled. Picture saying 'jiāo' softly as if whispering sweet words to the flower, emphasizing its lovable nature.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone of 娇 (jiāo) as it can sound overly intimate or informal in certain contexts. It is often used in affectionate phrases, such as 娇娇女 (a pampered girl), but may not be suitable in formal conversations. Avoid using it to describe someone in a derogatory sense; always maintain a positive connotation.
HSK Study Tips
While 娇 (jiāo) is not in the standard HSK vocabulary, it can enhance your understanding of nuanced adjectives. Focus on its usage in contexts of affection and tenderness to connect with other similar words like 可爱 (kě’ài, cute) and 温柔 (wēnróu, gentle).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 娇 (jiāo) is often associated with traditional femininity, where women are perceived as delicate and deserving of protection. This reflects societal values that emphasize tenderness and nurturing in relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 娇 (jiāo) with similar characters like 妖 (yāo), which means 'seductive' or 'bewitching.' A common mistake is to use 娇 to describe someone negatively; instead, remember it should convey affection and endearment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 娇
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Grammar Patterns of 娇
娇 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他大概7岁，骨架像他妈妈一样____小均匀。
He was about seven years old, small and fine-boned like his mother.
Example Sentences for 娇 (9)
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1
他大概7岁，骨架像他妈妈一样娇小均匀。
tā dà gài7 7， suì ， gǔ jià xiàng tā mā mā yī yàng jiāo xiǎo。
He was about seven years old, small and fine-boned like his mother.
2
我不愿意被人当作是个娇纵惯了的电影皇后。
wǒ bù yuàn yì bèi rén dāng zuò shì gè jiāo zòng guàn le de diàn yǐng huáng hòu。
I don't want to be treated like a cosseted movie queen.
3
你什么都不关心，除了你自己和你那张娇贵的脸。
nǐ shí mó dū bù guān xīn， ， chú le nǐ zì jǐ hé nǐ nà zhāng jiāo guì de。
You don't care about anything but yourself and your precious face.
4
现在呢, 因为“老东西”——这是秀才的妻叫秀才的名字——趋奉了她, 就装着娇滴滴的样子了.
xiàn zài ne, , yīn“ wéi “ lǎo”—— dōng xī ”—— zhè shì xiù cái de qī jiào xiù cái—— de míng zì ——, qū fèng le tā , jiù zhuāng zháo jiāo dī.
Now, with the old man fawning on her, she puts on airs.
5
三个月后,那一团愈发繁茂的绿蔓里边,发出一种尖又娇嫩的呜叫.
sān gè yuè hòu, , nà yī tuán yù fā fán mào de lǜ màn lǐ, biān , fā chū yī zhǒng jiān yòu jiāo nèn de.
Three months later I heard a sharp yet delicate peep from behind the lush leaves.
6
我在我自己手中拿着,像捧着一朵娇嫩的花.
wǒ zài wǒ zì jǐ shǒu zhōng ná zháo, , xiàng pěng zháo yī duǒ jiāo nèn de.
When I touched it with my hand it was like cupping a delicate , tender flower.
This was what came of early indulgence, and insolence, and extravagance, and aristocratic airs.
Cultural Notes for 娇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 娇 (jiāo) is often associated with traditional femininity, where women are perceived as delicate and deserving of protection. This reflects societal values that emphasize tenderness and nurturing in relationships.
Word Family of 娇
Words Containing This Character20
娇jiāolovable嬌
娇小petite嬌小
撒娇to throw a tantrum撒嬌
娇嫩fragile嬌嫩
娇生惯养pampered and spoiled since childhood嬌生慣養
娇气jiāoqìdelicate嬌氣
娇艳tender and beautiful嬌豔
娇媚flirtatious嬌媚
娇羞bashful嬌羞
娇惯jiāoguànto pamper嬌慣
娇弱delicate嬌弱
娇贵pampered嬌貴
娇滴滴sweet嬌滴滴
娇嗔(of a girl) to feign anger coquettishly嬌嗔
娇美dainty嬌美
娇纵to pamper嬌縱
娇宠to indulge嬌寵
金屋藏娇a golden house to keep one's mistress (idiom); a magnificent house built for a beloved woman金屋藏嬌
陈娇Chen Jiao, first wife of emperor 漢武帝|汉武帝[HànWǔdì], died c. 110 BC陳嬌
娇儿beloved son嬌兒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 娇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 娇
No, while 娇 (jiāo) is often used to describe women or young girls, it can also apply to pets or objects that are considered adorable or tender.
Generally, 娇 (jiāo) carries a positive connotation, but in some contexts, it might imply that someone is overly dependent or weak, so use it carefully.
Common phrases include 娇娇女 (jiāo jiāo nǚ, pampered girl) or 娇气 (jiāo qì, delicate or sensitive), which highlight its meanings.
