Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
货 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
货huògoodsHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #1779, Medium
货huòmoneyHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #1779, Medium
货huòcommodityHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #1779, Medium
货huò>个[gè]HSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #1779, Medium
货huòproducts, merchandise; goods, commoditiesHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #1779, Medium
huò(huo4) T4
  1. 1goods
  2. 2money
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
货(貨)huò(huo4)

The character 货 (huò) refers to goods or commodities, often used in the context of trade and commerce. It encompasses not only physical items but also the concept of money, as it signifies what is exchanged in a marketplace. This term is common in business-related discussions and is foundational for understanding economic vocabulary in Mandarin.

Strokes8Radical贝Frequency#1779DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of goods (货) is closely tied to the historical significance of trade routes, such as the Silk Road, which facilitated the exchange of not just goods but also culture and ideas.

Memory Tip

Imagine a heavy load of goods (货) being transported on a cart. The character 货 resembles a cart carrying products, with the top part suggesting a cover over the goods. Remember that 'huò' sounds like 'hoard,' which you might do with goods or money.

Meanings of 货

huò(huo4)
1goods
2money
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 货

货Simplified
貨Traditional
8Strokes
贝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1779Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRB1

Podcast: 货

JasonAmy

Podcast: 货

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 货

Quick Contrast

商品 (shāngpǐn) refers specifically to products or merchandise, while 货 (huò) has a broader meaning that can include various types of goods and commodities.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a heavy load of goods (货) being transported on a cart. The character 货 resembles a cart carrying products, with the top part suggesting a cover over the goods. Remember that 'huò' sounds like 'hoard,' which you might do with goods or money.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 货 (huò) with 过 (guò), which means 'to pass' or 'to exceed.' This term is generally informal but can be used in both formal and casual contexts. Common collocations include 货物 (huòwù - cargo) and 货币 (huòbì - currency).

HSK Study Tips

货 (huò) is relevant for HSK Level 3 learners as it connects to vocabulary related to shopping and trade. Focus on using it in phrases that involve buying, selling, or discussing products, as these contexts will reinforce its meaning.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of goods (货) is closely tied to the historical significance of trade routes, such as the Silk Road, which facilitated the exchange of not just goods but also culture and ideas.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 货 (huò) with 货物 (huòwù) and use them interchangeably. Remember that 货 refers to goods in general, while 货物 specifically means cargo or freight.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 货

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 货 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 货

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

Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 化 represents the sound. Simplified form of 貨.

Memory Hint

money

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 货?

Decomposition of 货

IDS Structure⿱化贝
货Full Character
=
化hua1
top
贝Bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 货?

Write 货

货

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 货

货 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 5 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

通____膨胀的下降是长期经济衰退中的一线转机。

The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.

Common Confusions with 货

货vs过
guò

Sound similarity but different meanings and usages.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "goods"?

or

Usage Notes for 货

Using '货' in inappropriate contextsCommon Error

Avoid using '货' to refer to abstract concepts. It is specifically for tangible goods or commodities.

1

他是一个很有货的人。

He is a person with a lot of goods (incorrect usage).

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他是一个很有____的人。

He is a person with a lot of goods (incorrect usage).

Example Sentences for 货 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
通货膨胀的下降是长期经济衰退中的一线转机。

tōng huò péng zhàng de xià jiàng shì cháng qī jīng jì shuāi tuì zhōng de yī xiàn zhuǎn jī。

The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.
2
西班牙的当务之急是签署《欧洲经济和货币联盟条约》。

xī bān yá de dāng wù zhī jí shì qiān shǔ《 《 ōu zhōu jīng jì hé huò bì lián méng tiáo》。

Spain's top priority is the signing of an EMU treaty.
3
通货膨胀使得卢布变成了毫无价值的货币。

tōng huò péng zhàng shǐ dé lú bù biàn chéng le háo wú jià zhí de huò bì。

Inflation has turned the rouble into a toytown currency.
4
流通领域的货币供应量一夜骤减。

liú tōng lǐng yù de huò bì gōng yīng liáng yī yè zhòu jiǎn。

The supply of money in circulation was drastically reduced overnight.
5
他们的轿车和一辆铰接式货车迎面相撞了。

tā mén de jiào chē hé yī liàng jiǎo jiē shì huò chē yíng miàn xiāng zhuàng le。

Their car was in a head-on smash with an articulated lorry.
6
他靠用货车卖薄饼勉强度日。

tā kào yòng huò chē mài báo bǐng miǎn qiáng dù rì。

He made a living of sorts selling pancakes from a van.
7
他正全力应对如何解决通货膨胀的问题。

tā zhèng quán lì yīng duì rú hé jiě jué tōng huò péng zhàng de wèn tí。

He is tussling with the problem of what to do about inflation.
8
期货价格在早盘深幅下跌后出现反弹，收盘时未见严重损失。

qī huò jià gé zài zǎo pán shēn fú xià diē hòu chū xiàn fǎn dàn， ， shōu pán shí wèi jiàn yán zhòng sǔn。

Futures prices recovered from sharp early declines to end with moderate losses.
9
你得有硬通货才能买到还算不错的东西。

nǐ dé yǒu yìng tōng huò cái néng mǎi dào huán suàn bù cuò de dōng xī。

You need hard currency to get anything halfway decent.
10
她警告说对待通货膨胀不能有一丝的懈怠。

tā jǐng gào shuō duì dài tōng huò péng zhàng bù néng yǒu yī sī de xiè dài。

She warned that there was no room for complacency on inflation.

Cultural Notes for 货

💡Did you know?

'货' is commonly used in commerce and trade in China, highlighting the importance of goods and money in Chinese culture and economy.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of goods (货) is closely tied to the historical significance of trade routes, such as the Silk Road, which facilitated the exchange of not just goods but also culture and ideas.

Word Family of 货

Words Containing This Character20
货huògoods貨
货车huòchētruck貨車
货币huòbìcurrency貨幣
蠢货blockhead蠢貨
期货abbr. for 期貨合約|期货合约[qī​huò​hé​yuē], futures contract (finance)期貨
货物huòwùgoods貨物
现货available item現貨
贱货bitch賤貨
百货bǎihuògeneral merchandise百貨
货运huòyùncargo貨運
送货to deliver goods送貨
杂货店grocery store雜貨店
供货to supply goods供貨
通货膨胀tōnghuòpéngzhànginflation通貨膨脹
存货stock存貨
进货to acquire stock進貨
退货to return merchandise退貨
交货to deliver goods交貨
货色goods貨色
货真价实genuine goods at fair prices貨真價實
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 货 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 货

货 (huò) typically refers to goods or commodities in a general sense, while 商品 (shāngpǐn) specifically refers to commercial products or merchandise intended for sale. Understanding this distinction can help in navigating Chinese business contexts more effectively.