Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
慪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
òuannoyedx, 14 strokes, radical 忄, Very Hard
òu(ou4) T4
  1. 1annoyed
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
òu(ou4)

The character 慪 (òu) conveys a sense of annoyance or displeasure. It is often used to express frustration in various contexts, whether in personal relationships, work situations, or daily inconveniences. This character is less common in everyday conversation and might be more frequently encountered in literary or formal writing.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing annoyance can be more subtle than in some Western cultures, where direct expressions of irritation are more common. The use of 慪 may reflect a more reserved approach to conveying displeasure, often through context rather than direct confrontation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person with a frown (representing annoyance) holding a sign that says 'Oh!' (for its pronunciation). The radical 心 (heart) indicates feelings, while the component 母 (mother) can remind you of the familiar frustration one might feel towards a loved one when they are annoyed.

Meanings of 慪

òu(ou4)
1annoyed
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 慪

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 慪

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 慪

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person with a frown (representing annoyance) holding a sign that says 'Oh!' (for its pronunciation). The radical 心 (heart) indicates feelings, while the component 母 (mother) can remind you of the familiar frustration one might feel towards a loved one when they are annoyed.

Usage Notes

慪 is generally used in formal or written contexts, rather than in casual conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that convey different emotions, like 怒 (nù, anger). It is often collocated with words indicating situations or subjects that cause annoyance, such as 慪烦 (òu fán, annoyed and bothered).

HSK Study Tips

As 慪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners might encounter it in advanced reading materials. Focus on understanding its context and emotional nuances, especially when reading literature or formal texts. This character can be a good example of how emotions are expressed in Chinese.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing annoyance can be more subtle than in some Western cultures, where direct expressions of irritation are more common. The use of 慪 may reflect a more reserved approach to conveying displeasure, often through context rather than direct confrontation.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 慪 with other characters expressing annoyance or anger, such as 烦 (fán). For instance, saying '我感到烦' (I feel annoyed) is correct, but mixing it with 慪 could lead to confusion in meaning. Always ensure the context fits the character's specific nuance.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 慪

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 慪

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

heart

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 慪?

Decomposition of 慪

IDS Structure⿰忄區
Full Character
=
xin1
left
qu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 慪?

Write 慪

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 慪

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, expressing annoyance can be more subtle than in some Western cultures, where direct expressions of irritation are more common. The use of 慪 may reflect a more reserved approach to conveying displeasure, often through context rather than direct confrontation.

Word Family of 慪

Words Containing This Character2
怄气to sulk慪氣
òuto annoy
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 怄气 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 慪

No, 慪 is more often found in formal or literary contexts rather than in everyday speech.