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March 24, 2026
悚sǒng(song3)
The character 悚 (sǒng) means to be scared or frightened. It is often used in contexts where someone experiences fear or anxiety, typically in response to something threatening or unsettling. This word conveys a deeper level of fear than just being startled.
Strokes10Radical忄Frequency#7623DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressions of fear can be tied to superstitions and ghost stories, especially during festivals like the Ghost Festival (中元节), when the spirits of the deceased are believed to return. The usage of 悚 may evoke these cultural themes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person who hears a sudden noise in the dark and their heart starts racing (the radical '忄' suggests emotions). Visualize them screaming 'sǒng!' as they feel a chill down their spine. The character's form, with the heartbeat radical, represents their fright.
Meanings of 悚
sǒng(song3)
1scared, frightened
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 悚
悚Simplified
10Strokes
忄Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 悚
Podcast: 悚
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AI Study Notes for 悚
Quick Contrast
惧 (jù) - use 悚 (sǒng) when describing a deeper, more profound fear, while 惧 (jù) can imply a more general or lesser degree of fear.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person who hears a sudden noise in the dark and their heart starts racing (the radical '忄' suggests emotions). Visualize them screaming 'sǒng!' as they feel a chill down their spine. The character's form, with the heartbeat radical, represents their fright.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 悚 with similar-sounding words. It is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation, so it may appear more in literature or formal contexts. Common collocations include 悚然 (sǒngrán), meaning 'terrified'.
HSK Study Tips
While 悚 is not an HSK word, it connects to HSK Level 5 vocabulary related to emotions and feelings. Focus on the emotional aspect of the word and practice using it in sentences about fear or anxiety.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressions of fear can be tied to superstitions and ghost stories, especially during festivals like the Ghost Festival (中元节), when the spirits of the deceased are believed to return. The usage of 悚 may evoke these cultural themes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 悚 with 害怕 (hàipà) and use it incorrectly in casual conversation. For example, saying '我很悚' (wǒ hěn sǒng) is incorrect; instead, use '我很害怕' (wǒ hěn hàipà) for 'I am very afraid.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 悚
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Grammar Patterns of 悚
悚 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她和那个让人毛骨____然的家伙丹尼斯还没离婚吗？
Was she still married to that creepy guy, Dennis?
Example Sentences for 悚 (6)
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1
她和那个让人毛骨悚然的家伙丹尼斯还没离婚吗？
tā hé nà gè ràng rén máo gǔ sǒng rán de jiā huǒ dān ní sī huán méi lí hūn ma？
Was she still married to that creepy guy, Dennis?
2
那部电影原来是部扣人心弦的惊悚片。
nà bù diàn yǐng yuán lái shì bù kòu rén xīn xián de jīng sǒng piàn。
These chilling heroines make Hart's books compulsive reading.
5
想到这里, 方鸿渐毛骨悚然.
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ, , fāng hóng jiàn máo gǔ sǒng.
When he started thinking about all that, he shuddered in horror.
6
下面是个令人毛骨悚然的深不见底的裂隙。
xià miàn shì gè líng rén máo gǔ sǒng rán de shēn bù jiàn dǐ de liè xì。
Below was a terrifyingly deep crevasse.
Cultural Notes for 悚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressions of fear can be tied to superstitions and ghost stories, especially during festivals like the Ghost Festival (中元节), when the spirits of the deceased are believed to return. The usage of 悚 may evoke these cultural themes.
Word Family of 悚
Words Containing This Character5
悚sǒngfrightened
惊悚thriller驚悚
毛骨悚然to feel one's blood run cold
悚然frightened
震悚to shock
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 悚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 悚
You can say, '他对幽灵感到悚' (tā duì yōulíng gǎndào sǒng), meaning 'He was frightened by the ghost.'
No, 悚 is more formal and often found in literature or discussions about deep fear.
While 害怕 (hàipà) is a more common and general term for being afraid, 悚 carries a stronger connotation of terror or deep fright.
