unknown, 15 strokes, radical 雨, rank #57596, Very Hard
霄
xiāo
heaven
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 雨, rank #57596, Very Hard
xiāo(xiao1) T1
1clouds, mist; sky
2firmament
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March 24, 2026
霄xiāo(xiao1)
The character 霄 (xiāo) primarily refers to the sky or heavens, often associated with clouds and mist. It conveys a sense of grandeur and expansiveness, and can be used in literary contexts to evoke beauty or serenity. You might encounter this character in poetry or discussions about nature.
Strokes15Radical雨Frequency#57596DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
霄 is often used in Chinese poetry to evoke the vastness and beauty of the sky, reflecting a cultural appreciation for nature. Festivals like the Lantern Festival celebrate the beauty of the night sky, underscoring the significance of celestial imagery in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine looking up at the sky (霄) filled with fluffy clouds, floating like soft cotton. The character has the radical for 'rain' (雨), hinting at weather, while the component '肖' sounds like 'xiāo', making it easier to remember that this word relates to the sky and clouds.
Meanings of 霄
xiāo(xiao1)
1clouds, mist; sky
2firmament
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 霄
霄Simplified
15Strokes
雨Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 霄
Podcast: 霄
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AI Study Notes for 霄
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine looking up at the sky (霄) filled with fluffy clouds, floating like soft cotton. The character has the radical for 'rain' (雨), hinting at weather, while the component '肖' sounds like 'xiāo', making it easier to remember that this word relates to the sky and clouds.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; xiāo is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. In informal contexts, you may hear it used poetically, while formal usage often appears in literature or classical texts. Common collocations include phrases that describe beautiful skies.
HSK Study Tips
While 霄 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary, it’s beneficial for learners aiming for HSK level 5 and above, especially those focusing on literary language. Connecting it with related words like '天' (tiān, sky) and '云' (yún, cloud) can deepen understanding.
Cultural Note
霄 is often used in Chinese poetry to evoke the vastness and beauty of the sky, reflecting a cultural appreciation for nature. Festivals like the Lantern Festival celebrate the beauty of the night sky, underscoring the significance of celestial imagery in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 霄 (xiāo) with similar characters like '桥' (qiáo, bridge) due to phonetic similarities. Remember, 霄 relates to the sky and has a first tone, while '桥' has a second tone and means bridge.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 霄
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Grammar Patterns of 霄
霄 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 3 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
Complete the Sentence
他被她迷得神魂颠倒，连孩子都抛到了九____云外。
He became so besotted with her that even his children were forgotten.
Example Sentences for 霄 (4)
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1
他被她迷得神魂颠倒，连孩子都抛到了九霄云外。
tā bèi tā mí dé shén hún diān dǎo， ， lián hái zǐ dū pāo dào le jiǔ xiāo yún。
He became so besotted with her that even his children were forgotten.
It's great to go on the roller coaster five times and not be sick.
4
可是良霄苦短.
kě shì liáng xiāo kǔ duǎn.
But the night is very short.
Cultural Notes for 霄
🏮Cultural insight
霄 is often used in Chinese poetry to evoke the vastness and beauty of the sky, reflecting a cultural appreciation for nature. Festivals like the Lantern Festival celebrate the beauty of the night sky, underscoring the significance of celestial imagery in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 霄
Words Containing This Character11
云霄Yunxiao county in Zhangzhou 漳州[Zhāngzhōu], Fujian雲霄
霄xiāoheaven
九霄云外unimaginably far away九霄雲外
云霄县Yunxiao county in Zhangzhou 漳州[Zhāngzhōu], Fujian雲霄縣
霄汉the sky霄漢
气冲霄汉(idiom) dauntless氣沖霄漢
重霄ninth heaven
霄壤之别huge difference霄壤之別
罗霄山Luoxiao Mountains, mountain range straddling the border between Jiangxi and Hunan羅霄山
九重霄ninth heaven
通霄镇Tongxiao or Tunghsiao town in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县[Miáolìxiàn], northwest Taiwan通霄鎮
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 云霄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 霄
You might hear phrases like '霄汉' (xiāo hàn), which refers to the vast sky, or '霄云' (xiāo yún), meaning clouds in the sky.
Not typically; it is more often found in literary or poetic contexts rather than in daily dialogue.
Focus on associating the sound 'xiāo' with 'sky', as both refer to high places.
