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夸大 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
夸大kuādàto exaggerateHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #12232, Very Hard
kuādà(kua1da4)kua da T1
  1. 1to exaggerate
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March 24, 2026

夸大(誇大)kuādà(kua1da4)

夸大 means 'to exaggerate' or 'to overstate'. It is commonly used when someone amplifies the truth or makes something seem more significant than it is, often in contexts like storytelling, advertising, or personal anecdotes.

Strokes9Frequency#12232DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, exaggeration is often seen in storytelling, especially in traditional operas or folklore, where characters might embellish tales for dramatic effect. This can reflect the value placed on storytelling as an art form.

Memory tip

Imagine a big, inflated balloon (夸) that has been blown up too much. The balloon represents a story or claim, and when it bursts, it reveals the truth. The sound 'kua' sounds like 'quack', similar to an exaggerated story that sounds too good to be true.

Meanings of 夸大

kuādà(kua1da4)
1to exaggerate
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About 夸大

夸大Simplified
誇大Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 夸大

Quick Contrast

夸张 (kuāzhāng) - use 夸大 when emphasizing the act of overstating facts, while 夸张 often refers to the artistic or stylistic exaggeration in expression.

Usage Notes

Be careful to use 夸大 in contexts where exaggeration is implied rather than outright lying. It is more informal and can be used in everyday conversations, but may sound accusatory in formal settings. Common collocations include 夸大其词 (exaggerate words) and 夸大事实 (exaggerate facts).

HSK Study Tips

Though not officially part of HSK vocabulary, understanding 夸大 can enhance your ability to grasp nuances in conversations. Focus on the radicals: 夸 (to boast) and 大 (big) to remember the meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 夸大 with 夸张, but 夸张 specifically refers to the act of using exaggeration for effect, while 夸大 implies a more negative connotation of overstating. For example, saying '他夸张了这个故事' (He exaggerated this story) is correct, but using 夸大 here would imply he did so dishonestly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 夸大

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Component characters

夸kuāto boast
HSK 66 strokes大
View full entry
大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry

How to say to exaggerate in Chinese

“to exaggerate” in Chinese is夸大kuādà

夸大 means 'to exaggerate' or 'to overstate'. It is commonly used when someone amplifies the truth or makes something seem more significant than it is, often in contexts like storytelling, advertising, or personal anecdotes.

When to use 夸大

Be careful to use 夸大 in contexts where exaggeration is implied rather than outright lying. It is more informal and can be used in everyday conversations, but may sound accusatory in formal settings. Common collocations include 夸大其词 (exaggerate words) and 夸大事实 (exaggerate facts).

夸大 or something close to it

夸张 (kuāzhāng) - use 夸大 when emphasizing the act of overstating facts, while 夸张 often refers to the artistic or stylistic exaggeration in expression.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 夸大 with 夸张, but 夸张 specifically refers to the act of using exaggeration for effect, while 夸大 implies a more negative connotation of overstating. For example, saying '他夸张了这个故事' (He exaggerated this story) is correct, but using 夸大 here would imply he did so dishonestly.

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夸
大

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Cultural Notes for 夸大

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, exaggeration can sometimes be viewed humorously, while in Chinese culture, it might be taken more seriously depending on the context.

Frequently asked questions about 夸大

You can say: 他总是夸大事实 (He always exaggerates the facts).

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