Meanings of 禍
By ear
Play it, then pick what 禍 means.
About 禍
Podcast: 禍
Podcast: 禍
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 禍
灾 (zāi) - use 禍 (huò) when emphasizing personal misfortune or harm, whereas 灾 (zāi) refers more broadly to disasters affecting a larger scale or community.
Be careful not to confuse 禍 with other characters like 祸, which also means calamity but may have different usages. This character is generally used in more serious contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless emphasizing a significant problem.
Although 禍 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of Chinese literature and media. Focus on its usage in phrases related to disaster management or storytelling to see how it connects with other vocabulary at higher levels.
Learners often confuse 禍 with 福 (fú), which means fortune or happiness. A wrong example would be saying '这是个禍的日子' (This is a fortune day), where it should be '这是个福的日子' (This is a lucky day).
Pronunciation of 禍
Drill the tone of 禍, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 禍 to you
Let me explain 禍 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 禍 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 禍?
Learning Lab
Knowing 禍 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 禍
spirit
Origin
禍 = 礻 + 咼. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 禍
Parts
Which of these is part of 禍?
How to say misfortune, disaster, calamity in Chinese
“misfortune, disaster, calamity” in Chinese is禍
The character 禍 (huò) refers to misfortune, disaster, or calamity. It is often used to describe unfortunate events or situations that bring harm or trouble, and can appear in both formal and informal contexts, such as literature or everyday conversation.
When to use 禍
Be careful not to confuse 禍 with other characters like 祸, which also means calamity but may have different usages. This character is generally used in more serious contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless emphasizing a significant problem.
禍 or something close to it
灾 (zāi) - use 禍 (huò) when emphasizing personal misfortune or harm, whereas 灾 (zāi) refers more broadly to disasters affecting a larger scale or community.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 禍 with 福 (fú), which means fortune or happiness. A wrong example would be saying '这是个禍的日子' (This is a fortune day), where it should be '这是个福的日子' (This is a lucky day).
Write 禍
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 禍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 禍?
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 禍
Words with 禍
What does 车祸 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 禍
Yes, but it is more common in formal contexts or when discussing serious issues.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 禍?
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.