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怪异 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
怪异guàiyìmonstrousHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #3418, Very Hard
怪异guàiyìstrangeHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #3418, Very Hard
怪异guàiyìstrange phenomenonHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #3418, Very Hard
guàiyì(guai4yi4)guai yi T4
  1. 1monstrous
  2. 2strange
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March 24, 2026

怪异(怪異)guàiyì(guai4yi4)

怪异 (guài yì) refers to something that is strange, unusual, or out of the ordinary. It is commonly used to describe peculiar behaviors, bizarre phenomena, or anything that deviates from the norm, often evoking a sense of curiosity or discomfort.

Strokes14Frequency#3418DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 怪异 can relate to superstitions and folklore, where strange occurrences are often attributed to spirits or the supernatural, reflecting a blend of curiosity and caution towards the unknown.

Memory tip

Imagine a quirky creature (怪, guài) that behaves in an odd way (异, yì). Picture a monster wearing mismatched socks and dancing on a table—this vivid image helps you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation of the word.

Meanings of 怪异

guàiyì(guai4yi4)
1monstrous
2strange
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About 怪异

怪异Simplified
怪異Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 怪异

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AI study notes for 怪异

Quick Contrast

怪异 (guài yì) vs 奇怪 (qí guài) — use 怪异 for more formal or literary contexts, while 奇怪 is more casual.

Usage Notes

怪异 is typically used in informal contexts to describe strange occurrences or behaviors. Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 怪异现象 (strange phenomenon) and 怪异行为 (strange behavior).

HSK Study Tips

While 怪异 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other HSK words describing emotions and phenomena. Focus on understanding the nuances of 'strange' versus 'different' to enhance your descriptive vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 怪异 with 奇怪 (qí guài), but while both mean strange, 怪异 carries a stronger connotation of peculiarity. An incorrect example is saying '他是一个奇怪的怪异' when it should simply be '他是一个怪异的人'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 怪异

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Component characters

怪guàibewildering
HSK 58 strokes忄
View full entry
异yìdifferent
6 strokes廾
View full entry

How to say monstrous in Chinese

“monstrous” in Chinese is怪异guàiyì

怪异 (guài yì) refers to something that is strange, unusual, or out of the ordinary. It is commonly used to describe peculiar behaviors, bizarre phenomena, or anything that deviates from the norm, often evoking a sense of curiosity or discomfort.

When to use 怪异

怪异 is typically used in informal contexts to describe strange occurrences or behaviors. Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 怪异现象 (strange phenomenon) and 怪异行为 (strange behavior).

怪异 or something close to it

怪异 (guài yì) vs 奇怪 (qí guài) — use 怪异 for more formal or literary contexts, while 奇怪 is more casual.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 怪异 with 奇怪 (qí guài), but while both mean strange, 怪异 carries a stronger connotation of peculiarity. An incorrect example is saying '他是一个奇怪的怪异' when it should simply be '他是一个怪异的人'.

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怪
异

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Frequently asked questions about 怪异

You can say '这件事真怪异,' meaning 'This matter is truly strange.'

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