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March 24, 2026
毆ōu(ou1)
The character 毆 (ōu) means to hit or beat someone, specifically with fists. It is often used in contexts related to physical violence or fighting, such as in discussions about brawls or altercations. This character conveys a sense of aggression and is typically used in informal settings.
Strokes15Radical殳Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, physical confrontations are generally frowned upon, and the use of the character 毆 reflects the seriousness of violence. Discussions about fighting often involve moral considerations, highlighting the importance of maintaining harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine a boxer throwing a punch ('ōu' sounds like 'oh' when you get hit). The left side of the character 毆 resembles a fist, and the right side shows a person being hit, helping you visualize the action of hitting.
Meanings of 毆
ōu(ou1)
1to hit, to beat, to fight with fists
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 毆
毆Simplified
15Strokes
殳Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 毆
Podcast: 毆
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AI Study Notes for 毆
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a boxer throwing a punch ('ōu' sounds like 'oh' when you get hit). The left side of the character 毆 resembles a fist, and the right side shows a person being hit, helping you visualize the action of hitting.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 毆, as it carries a negative connotation and is considered informal. Common collocations include '毆打' (ōudǎ, to beat someone) and '毆鬥' (ōudòu, to fight). Avoid using it in formal contexts or when discussing non-violent interactions.
HSK Study Tips
Although 毆 is not on the HSK list, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary related to violence or conflict. Focus on memorizing its pronunciation and common phrases that include this character, which may appear in more advanced dialogues.
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, physical confrontations are generally frowned upon, and the use of the character 毆 reflects the seriousness of violence. Discussions about fighting often involve moral considerations, highlighting the importance of maintaining harmony.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 毆 with 打, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我毆他' (Wǒ ōu tā) is correct, but using '我打他' (Wǒ dǎ tā) might be too general, depending on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 毆
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Cultural Notes for 毆
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese society, physical confrontations are generally frowned upon, and the use of the character 毆 reflects the seriousness of violence. Discussions about fighting often involve moral considerations, highlighting the importance of maintaining harmony.
Word Family of 毆
Words Containing This Character4
殴打ōudǎto beat up毆打
斗殴to fight鬥毆
殴Ōuto beat up毆
殴斗brawl毆鬥
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 殴打 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 毆
打 (dǎ) means to hit or strike in a more general sense, while 毆 (ōu) specifically refers to hitting with fists and implies violence.
No, 毆 is considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing or speech.
While there aren't many idioms, it is commonly used in phrases related to fighting, such as 毆打 (ōudǎ).
