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浑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
浑húnmuddyn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7725, Hard
浑húnto mixn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7725, Hard
浑húnblended, mixed; muddy, turbidn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7725, Hard
hún(hun2)hun T2
  1. 1muddy
  2. 2to mix
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March 24, 2026

浑(渾)hún(hun2)

The character 浑 (hún) primarily means 'muddy' or 'turbid,' often used to describe liquids that are not clear due to impurities. It can also refer to the act of mixing or blending different substances together. This word is often used in both literal contexts, such as describing water quality, and metaphorical contexts, like discussing mixed feelings or thoughts.

Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#7725DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, clear water is often associated with purity and clarity of mind, while muddy water, represented by 浑, can symbolize confusion or moral ambiguity. This character may appear in discussions about philosophical concepts or in poetry that contrasts clarity and muddiness.

Memory tip

Imagine a muddy river where the waters are all mixed together, making it hard to see through. The character 浑 has the water radical 氵 on the left, representing water, and the component 含 on the right, which sounds like 'hún,' reminding you of the muddy, blended state of the river.

Meanings of 浑

hún(hun2)
1muddy
2to mix
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 浑 means.

About 浑

浑Simplified
渾Traditional
9Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7725Frequency Rank

Podcast: 浑

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Podcast: 浑

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AI study notes for 浑

Quick Contrast

浑 (hún) vs 混 (hùn) — use 浑 when specifically referring to muddy or turbid liquids, while 混 is more general for mixing or blending.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 浑 with similar-sounding characters like 混 (hùn), which also means to mix but has different usage contexts. While 浑 is more focused on muddiness, 混 can imply more general mixing or blending. The tone of 'hún' should be pronounced with a rising tone, which is crucial to convey the correct meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 浑 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 水 (water) and 混 (to mix). Focus on practicing the pronunciation and understanding the context in which it is used to enhance your vocabulary related to liquids and mixtures.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly write 混 when they mean 浑, thinking both are interchangeable. Remember, 浑 emphasizes the muddiness aspect, so use 浑 when describing something that is turbid or unclear.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 浑

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Etymology of 浑

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 军 represents the sound. Simplified form of 渾.

Memory hint

water

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

Origin

浑 = 氵 + 军. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 浑

IDS Structure⿰氵军
浑Full character
=
氵shui3
left
军jun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 浑?

How to say muddy in Chinese

“muddy” in Chinese is浑hún

The character 浑 (hún) primarily means 'muddy' or 'turbid,' often used to describe liquids that are not clear due to impurities. It can also refer to the act of mixing or blending different substances together. This word is often used in both literal contexts, such as describing water quality, and metaphorical contexts, like discussing mixed feelings or thoughts.

When to use 浑

Learners often confuse 浑 with similar-sounding characters like 混 (hùn), which also means to mix but has different usage contexts. While 浑 is more focused on muddiness, 混 can imply more general mixing or blending. The tone of 'hún' should be pronounced with a rising tone, which is crucial to convey the correct meaning.

浑 or something close to it

浑 (hún) vs 混 (hùn) — use 浑 when specifically referring to muddy or turbid liquids, while 混 is more general for mixing or blending.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly write 混 when they mean 浑, thinking both are interchangeable. Remember, 浑 emphasizes the muddiness aspect, so use 浑 when describing something that is turbid or unclear.

Write 浑

浑

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

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Grammar patterns of 浑

浑 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 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他从睡梦中醒来,____身冒着冷汗。

He awoke from his sleep in a cold sweat.

Example sentences for 浑 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他从睡梦中醒来,浑身冒着冷汗。

tā cóng shuì mèng zhōng xǐnglái, húnshēn mào zhe lěng hàn。

He awoke from his sleep in a cold sweat.
2
他浑身打了个冷战。

tā húnshēn dǎ le gè lěngzhàn。

A chill shiver rippled over his skin.
3
尼安德特人能够捕杀浑身覆毛的猛犸象和熊。

ní Ān dé tè rén nénggòu bǔ shā húnshēn fù máo de měng mà xiàng hé xióng。

Neanderthal man was able to kill woolly mammoths and bears.
4
这群人都浑身湿透,现在谢天谢地快晾干了。

zhè qún rén dōu húnshēn shī tòu, xiànzài xiè tiān xiè dì kuài liàng gān le。

The crowds had been soaked and were now nicely drying out.
5
下弦能够产生雄壮浑厚的音响效果。

xià xián nénggòu chǎnshēng xióng zhuàng hún hòu de yīnxiǎng xiàoguǒ。

The lower strings contribute a splendid richness of sonority.
6
双方已经在使出浑身解数贬低对方了。

shuāngfāng yǐjīng zài shǐ chū húnshēn jiě shù biǎndī duìfāng le。

Already, both sides are jockeying to belittle the other side.
7
四天的旅行后她感到浑身上下十分疼痛.

sì tiān de lǚxíng hòu tā gǎndào húnshēn shàngxià shífēn téngtòng.

She had aches and pains all over after the four - day trip.
8
杰罗尔德又笑了,声音浑厚而圆润。

jié luō ěr dé yòu xiào le, shēngyīn hún hòu ér yuán rùn。

Jerrold laughed again, a solid, fruity laugh.
9
他们不停地提出其他政治问题,力图把水搅浑。

tāmen bùtíng dì tíchū qítā zhèngzhì wèntí, lì tú bǎ shuǐ jiǎo hún。

They keep on muddying the waters by raising other political issues.
10
她吓得浑身直冒冷汗.

tā hè de húnshēn zhí mào lěng hàn.

She was so scared that she broke out in a cold sweat.

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Word Family of 浑

Words containing this character20
浑身húnshēnall over渾身
浑húnmuddy渾
浑蛋húndànscoundrel渾蛋
浑浊húnzhuómuddy渾濁
浑然húnráncompletely渾然
浑浑噩噩húnhún’è’èmuddleheaded渾渾噩噩
浑厚húnhòusimple and honest渾厚
浑身解数húnshēnxièshùto give it your all渾身解數
雄浑xiónghúnvigorous雄渾
浑然一体húnrányìtǐto blend into one another渾然一體
浑河húnhéHun River渾河
浑圆húnyuánperfectly round渾圓
浑水摸鱼húnshuǐmōyúto fish in troubled water (idiom); to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain渾水摸魚
浑然天成húnrántiānchéngto resemble nature itself渾然天成
吐谷浑tǔyùhúnTuyuhun, a Xianbei 鮮卑|鲜卑 nomadic people吐谷渾
浑然不知húnránbùzhīto be totally oblivious (to sth)渾然不知
浑源县húnyuánxiànHunyuan county in Datong 大同[Dà​tóng], Shanxi渾源縣
浑如húnrúvery similar渾如
浑源húnyuánHunyuan county in Datong 大同[Dà​tóng], Shanxi渾源
浑天仪húntiānyíarmillary sphere (astronomy)渾天儀
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 浑

What does 浑身 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 浑

Yes, 浑 can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in contexts discussing water quality or mixed substances.

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