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聱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
áobent, twisted; overcomplicatedx, 16 strokes, radical 耳, Very Hard
áodifficult to pronounceunknown, 16 strokes, radical 耳, Very Hard
áo(ao2) T2
  1. 1bent, twisted; overcomplicated
  2. 2difficult to pronounce
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
áo(ao2)

The character 聱 (áo) refers to something that is bent or twisted, as well as to concepts that are overcomplicated or difficult to articulate. It is often used in literary contexts to describe difficult language or intricate poetry that may be hard to pronounce or understand.

Strokes16RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese literature, the ability to create complex and intricate poetry is highly valued, and 聱 is often used to describe works that are beautifully intricate yet challenging to comprehend, reflecting the appreciation for linguistic artistry in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tangled vine (the radical 聿) that is hard to pronounce because of its twists and bends. Picture someone trying to say 'áo' while navigating through this confusing vine, making it a memorable association with the character's meaning.

Meanings of 聱

áo(ao2)
1bent, twisted; overcomplicated
2difficult to pronounce
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 聱

Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 聱

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 聱

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tangled vine (the radical 聿) that is hard to pronounce because of its twists and bends. Picture someone trying to say 'áo' while navigating through this confusing vine, making it a memorable association with the character's meaning.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 聱 with similar sounding characters, such as 饶 (ráo), which means to spare or allow. It's important to use 聱 in contexts involving complexity or difficulty rather than simple or straightforward situations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 聱 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it relates to advanced language skills. Students should focus on understanding its use in literary contexts and its implications in discussions about language complexity, as well as its pronunciation nuances.

Cultural Note

In Chinese literature, the ability to create complex and intricate poetry is highly valued, and 聱 is often used to describe works that are beautifully intricate yet challenging to comprehend, reflecting the appreciation for linguistic artistry in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is mispronouncing 聱 as 'náo', which changes the meaning entirely. Always remember it begins with the 'á' sound. Another error is using 聱 in casual situations where simpler language is needed; it is best reserved for more formal or literary discussions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 聱

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Etymology of 聱

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

ear

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 聱?

Decomposition of 聱

IDS Structure⿱敖耳
Full Character
=
Ao2
top
er3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 聱?

Write 聱

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 聱

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese literature, the ability to create complex and intricate poetry is highly valued, and 聱 is often used to describe works that are beautifully intricate yet challenging to comprehend, reflecting the appreciation for linguistic artistry in Chinese culture.

Word Family of 聱

Words Containing This Character1
áodifficult to pronounce
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 聱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 聱

An example would be, '这首诗的语言聱,读起来很吃力' (This poem's language is complex, making it difficult to read).