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骜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
骜àowild horse, mustang; wild, freeg, 13 strokes, radical 马
骜àoa noble steedunknown, 13 strokes, radical 马
骜àountamedunknown, 13 strokes, radical 马
ào(ao4)ao T4
  1. 1wild horse, mustang; wild, free
  2. 2a noble steed
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March 24, 2026

骜(驁)ào(ao4)

The character 骜 (ào) refers to a wild horse or mustang, often symbolizing freedom and untamed spirit. It conveys qualities of nobility and vigor, frequently used in literary contexts to describe a strong, free-spirited animal or person. This character embodies the essence of wildness and independence in Chinese culture.

Strokes13Radical马
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese literature, wild horses are often seen as symbols of freedom and strength, reflecting the values of self-reliance and bravery. The character 骜 may also evoke historical connections to nomadic cultures in China where horses played a vital role in daily life.

Memory tip

Imagine a wild horse galloping freely across a vast landscape, representing the untamed spirit of nature. The character 骜 resembles a horse (马) running wild, with the 'ao' sound echoing the sound of hooves pounding on the ground, emphasizing its wild nature.

Meanings of 骜

ào(ao4)
1wild horse, mustang; wild, free
2a noble steed
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 骜

骜Simplified
驁Traditional
13Strokes
马Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 骜

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AI Study Notes for 骜

Usage Notes

The character 骜 is primarily used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other characters. It often appears in phrases about freedom and nobility, such as 骜马 (wild horse).

HSK Study Tips

Although 骜 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it shares thematic connections with words related to animals and freedom found in lower HSK levels. Students should focus on understanding its context in poetry and literature, particularly in conjunction with other animal-related characters.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 骜 with other horse-related characters like 马 (mǎ) due to similar meanings. Remember that 骜 specifically refers to wild horses, whereas 马 is the general term for horse.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 骜

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Etymology of 骜

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A rambling 敖 horse 马; 敖 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 骜?

Decomposition of 骜

IDS Structure⿱敖马
骜Full character
=
敖Ao2
top
马Ma3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 骜?

How to say wild horse, mustang; wild, free in Chinese

“wild horse, mustang; wild, free” in Chinese is骜ào

The character 骜 (ào) refers to a wild horse or mustang, often symbolizing freedom and untamed spirit. It conveys qualities of nobility and vigor, frequently used in literary contexts to describe a strong, free-spirited animal or person. This character embodies the essence of wildness and independence in Chinese culture.

When to use 骜

The character 骜 is primarily used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other characters. It often appears in phrases about freedom and nobility, such as 骜马 (wild horse).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 骜 with other horse-related characters like 马 (mǎ) due to similar meanings. Remember that 骜 specifically refers to wild horses, whereas 马 is the general term for horse.

Write 骜

骜

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

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Word Family of 骜

Words containing this character2
桀骜不驯unyielding桀驁不馴
骜àoTaiwan pr. [áo]驁
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 骜

What does 桀骜不驯 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 骜

In modern usage, 骜 still retains its meaning related to wild horses, but it is primarily found in literary texts.

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