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譙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
譙qiáotower; to ridicule, to blame; surnamezg, 19 strokes, radical 言
qiáo(qiao2) T2
  1. 1tower; to ridicule, to blame; surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

譙qiáo(qiao2)

The character 譙 (qiáo) primarily refers to a type of tower or pagoda, often used in the context of architectural structures. Additionally, it can mean to ridicule or blame someone, reflecting a negative sentiment in communication. This dual meaning allows it to be used in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly in literature and social commentary.

Strokes19Radical言
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, towers often symbolize power and status, and the act of ridicule can be seen in classical literature, where characters may mock others as a form of social commentary. This reflects historical values regarding hierarchy and social behavior.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall tower (the meaning of 譙) where people gather to gossip and ridicule one another. The character has the radical 言 (yán), meaning 'speech,' which connects to its meaning of ridicule. Picture the tower as a stage where people express blame and mock others, helping you remember the pronunciation 'qiáo.'

Meanings of 譙

qiáo(qiao2)
1tower; to ridicule, to blame; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 譙

譙Simplified
19Strokes
言Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 譙

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Podcast: 譙

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AI Study Notes for 譙

Usage Notes

This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for literary contexts or formal writing. Learners should be cautious with its tone, as using it inappropriately can lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include phrases related to criticism or mockery.

HSK Study Tips

Although 譙 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with other characters related to speech and architecture at higher levels. Students should focus on recognizing the character in literary texts and understanding its nuanced meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 譙 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, mixing it up with the character 教 (jiào), which means 'to teach.' Always remember that 譙 relates to ridicule or towers, while 教 is about education.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 譙

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Etymology of 譙

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

speech

Semantic (meaning)言
+
Phonetic (sound)焦
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 譙

  1. 1The meaning half言 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half焦 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayspeech
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 譙? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 譙?

Decomposition of 譙

IDS Structure⿰言焦
譙Full Character
=
言yan2
left
焦Jiao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 譙?

How to say tower; to ridicule, to blame; surname in Chinese

“tower; to ridicule, to blame; surname” in Chinese is譙qiáo

The character 譙 (qiáo) primarily refers to a type of tower or pagoda, often used in the context of architectural structures. Additionally, it can mean to ridicule or blame someone, reflecting a negative sentiment in communication. This dual meaning allows it to be used in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly in literature and social commentary.

When to use 譙

This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for literary contexts or formal writing. Learners should be cautious with its tone, as using it inappropriately can lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include phrases related to criticism or mockery.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 譙 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, mixing it up with the character 教 (jiào), which means 'to teach.' Always remember that 譙 relates to ridicule or towers, while 教 is about education.

Write 譙

譙

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 譙

Words Containing This Character4
谯qiáoridicule譙
谯城区Qiaocheng district of Bozhou city 亳州市[Bó​zhōu​shì], Anhui譙城區
谯城Qiaocheng district of Bozhou city 亳州市[Bó​zhōu​shì], Anhui譙城
南谯区Nanqiao district of Chuzhou city 滁州市[Chú​zhōu​shì], Anhui南譙區
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 谯 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 譙

It is pronounced as 'qiáo' with a rising tone.

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