Meanings of 揮
By ear
Play it, then pick what 揮 means.
About 揮
Podcast: 揮
Podcast: 揮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 揮
挥 (huī) vs 摇 (yáo) — use 揮 when emphasizing a deliberate gesture or direction, while 摇 is more about shaking or swaying.
Common mistakes include confusing 揮 with similar characters like 揍 (zòu), which means 'to hit'. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with the tone; it should always be pronounced in the first tone (huī) to convey the correct meaning. Typical collocations include 揮手 (huīshǒu, 'wave a hand') and 揮霍 (huīhuò, 'squander').
While 揮 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with other verb characters involving actions and gestures. Students should focus on recognizing its components and practicing its pronunciation to avoid mixing it with phonetically similar words.
Learners often mistakenly use 揮 in contexts that imply hitting or striking, confusing it with 揍 (zòu). For example, saying 揮打 (huī dǎ) instead of 揍 (zòu) when intending to say 'hit'.
Pronunciation of 揮
Drill the tone of 揮, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 揮 to you
Let me explain 揮 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 揮 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 揮?
Learning Lab
Knowing 揮 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 揮
Simplified form of 揮. Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 軍 represents the sound.
To direct an army 軍 by hand 扌
Origin
What kind of character is 揮?
Decomposition of 揮
Parts
Which of these is part of 揮?
How to say to direct; to squander; to wave; to wipe away in Chinese
“to direct; to squander; to wave; to wipe away” in Chinese is揮
The character 揮 (huī) primarily means 'to wave' or 'to direct'. It is often used in contexts involving the act of gesturing or signaling, such as waving one's hand, as well as in more abstract uses, like directing attention or resources. The nuance can also imply a sense of squandering or carelessly using something, like money or time.
When to use 揮
Common mistakes include confusing 揮 with similar characters like 揍 (zòu), which means 'to hit'. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with the tone; it should always be pronounced in the first tone (huī) to convey the correct meaning. Typical collocations include 揮手 (huīshǒu, 'wave a hand') and 揮霍 (huīhuò, 'squander').
揮 or something close to it
挥 (huī) vs 摇 (yáo) — use 揮 when emphasizing a deliberate gesture or direction, while 摇 is more about shaking or swaying.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 揮 in contexts that imply hitting or striking, confusing it with 揍 (zòu). For example, saying 揮打 (huī dǎ) instead of 揍 (zòu) when intending to say 'hit'.
Write 揮
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 揮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 揮?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 揮
Words with 揮
What does 发挥 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 揮
In financial contexts, 揮 can imply squandering or wasting resources, such as money or time, similar to how one might carelessly wave away money.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 揮?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.