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March 24, 2026
赫hè(He4)
The character 赫 (hè) primarily means bright, radiant, or glowing, often used to describe something that is strikingly vivid or brilliant. It can also be a surname in Chinese culture, and is used as an abbreviation for the term 'hertz,' a unit of frequency. The character conveys a sense of brightness and clarity, both in visual and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes14Radical赤Frequency#6860DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The surname 赫 is not very common, but it is associated with notable figures in Chinese history. The character's meaning is often used in literature and poetry to describe the beauty of nature or the brilliance of a person's character.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright, shining sun (赫) illuminating everything around it. The character has a radical that resembles a sun (日) sitting high above, radiating light, which can help you remember its meaning of brightness and glow. Think of 'He' as someone who brings brightness into your life.
Meanings of 赫
hè(He4)
1bright, radiant, glowing
2abbr. for Herz Hz 赫茲|赫兹[He4 zi1]
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About 赫
赫Simplified
14Strokes
赤Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 赫
Podcast: 赫
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AI Study Notes for 赫
Usage Notes
When using 赫 in writing, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 明 (míng), which also pertains to brightness but has a broader meaning. This character is more formal and is often seen in written contexts rather than in casual conversation. It is commonly used with other words related to brightness or clarity, such as 赫然 (hèrán), meaning suddenly or unexpectedly bright.
HSK Study Tips
While 赫 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be useful to connect it with words like 明 (míng) and 光 (guāng), both of which relate to light and brightness. Focus on recognizing this character in texts that discuss science or technology, where you might encounter its abbreviation for hertz.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 赫 with similar characters that also mean bright, such as 明. For example, saying '赫亮' instead of '明亮' (míngliàng) for bright can be incorrect. It's important to use 赫 in contexts where a striking brightness or brilliance is intended.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 赫
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How Well Do You Know 赫?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 赫 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.
The character 赫 (hè) primarily means bright, radiant, or glowing, often used to describe something that is strikingly vivid or brilliant. It can also be a surname in Chinese culture, and is used as an abbreviation for the term 'hertz,' a unit of frequency. The character conveys a sense of brightness and clarity, both in visual and metaphorical contexts.
When to use 赫
When using 赫 in writing, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 明 (míng), which also pertains to brightness but has a broader meaning. This character is more formal and is often seen in written contexts rather than in casual conversation. It is commonly used with other words related to brightness or clarity, such as 赫然 (hèrán), meaning suddenly or unexpectedly bright.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 赫 with similar characters that also mean bright, such as 明. For example, saying '赫亮' instead of '明亮' (míngliàng) for bright can be incorrect. It's important to use 赫 in contexts where a striking brightness or brilliance is intended.
Write 赫
赫
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Grammar Patterns of 赫
赫 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 4 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.
马____福兹先生讲述的故事过于宏大，主题有些混乱了。
The themes get tangled in Mr. Mahfouz's epic storytelling.
