HSK 7, ng, 7 strokes, radical 子, rank #18412, Hard
孝
xiào
mourning apparel
HSK 7, ng, 7 strokes, radical 子, rank #18412, Hard
孝
xiào
filial piety, obedience; mourning
HSK 7, ng, 7 strokes, radical 子, rank #18412, Hard
xiào(xiao4) T4
1filial piety or obedience
2mourning apparel
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March 24, 2026
孝xiào(xiao4)
The character 孝 (xiào) primarily means 'filial piety,' which is a key virtue in Chinese culture emphasizing respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and ancestors. It is often associated with mourning practices and is deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy, highlighting the importance of familial relationships in social harmony.
Strokes7Radical子Frequency#18412DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 孝 (xiào) is not just a virtue; it is a societal expectation that shapes family dynamics and responsibilities. During festivals like Qingming, the concept of filial piety is prominently displayed through ancestral worship.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 孝 (xiào) as a child (子) honoring their parent (老) by kneeling down. The child shows respect and obedience, which reflects the essence of filial piety. Imagine a child kneeling before their elderly parent, expressing love and gratitude, to remember the character's meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 孝
xiào(xiao4)
1filial piety or obedience
2mourning apparel
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 孝
孝Simplified
7Strokes
子Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#18412Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 孝
Podcast: 孝
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AI Study Notes for 孝
Quick Contrast
忠 (zhōng) - use 孝 for familial respect, while 忠 emphasizes loyalty to one's country or ruler.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 孝 (xiào) as a child (子) honoring their parent (老) by kneeling down. The child shows respect and obedience, which reflects the essence of filial piety. Imagine a child kneeling before their elderly parent, expressing love and gratitude, to remember the character's meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 孝 is often used in formal contexts, especially in discussions of family values or traditional customs. It can also appear in phrases such as 孝顺 (xiàoshùn, to be obedient to parents) or 孝心 (xiàoxīn, filial devotion). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the official HSK vocabulary list, 孝 is relevant for learners interested in cultural nuances. Focus on its usage in phrases and try to connect it with other HSK words related to family and values, such as 家 (jiā, family) and 亲 (qīn, relative).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 孝 (xiào) is not just a virtue; it is a societal expectation that shapes family dynamics and responsibilities. During festivals like Qingming, the concept of filial piety is prominently displayed through ancestral worship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misinterpret 孝 as simply obedience, overlooking its deeper cultural significance. For example, saying '我很孝' (wǒ hěn xiào) without context can be vague; it's better to specify actions or feelings, such as '我尊重我的父母' (wǒ zūnzhòng wǒ de fùmǔ).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 孝
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Grammar Patterns of 孝
孝 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 3 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 2
Complete the Sentence
此刻我需要的是一份____心。
Right now I'm in need of a little filial affection.
Example Sentences for 孝 (1)
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1
此刻我需要的是一份孝心。
cǐ kè wǒ xū yào de shì yī fèn xiào xīn。
Right now I'm in need of a little filial affection.
Cultural Notes for 孝
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 孝 (xiào) is not just a virtue; it is a societal expectation that shapes family dynamics and responsibilities. During festivals like Qingming, the concept of filial piety is prominently displayed through ancestral worship.
Word Family of 孝
Compounds12
教jiao1surname Jiao
哮xiao1to cough; to pant; to roar
酵jiao4yeast; to leaven
痚
侾
宯
庨
涍
硣
窙
誟
踍
Words Containing This Character16
孝xiàomourning apparel
孝顺xiàoshùnfilial piety孝順
孝敬xiàojìngto show filial respect
孝子filial son
不孝unfilial
孝心filial piety (a Confucian obligation)
孝道filial piety (Confucian virtue)
戴孝to wear mourning garb
费孝通Fei Xiaotong (1910-2005), Chinese sociologist費孝通
孝感Xiaogan prefecture level city in Hubei
尽孝to do one's filial duty盡孝
朱孝天actor
守孝to observe mourning for one's parents
孝义Xiaoyi county level city in Lüliang 呂梁|吕梁[Lǚliáng], Shanxi 山西孝義
明孝陵Ming tombs in Nanjing, tomb of founding Ming emperor Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋[ZhūYuánzhāng], a World Heritage site
孝感市Xiaogan prefecture level city in Hubei
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 教 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 孝
In modern society, 孝 still emphasizes respect and care for parents, but it also reflects evolving family structures and values.
You can say '我很孝顺我的父母' (wǒ hěn xiàoshùn wǒ de fùmǔ), meaning 'I am very filial to my parents.'
Yes, 孝 (xiào) refers to the concept of filial piety, while 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) specifically describes the action of being obedient and respectful to one's parents.
