(classical final particle similar to 嗎|吗[ma5], 吧[ba5], 呢[ne5], expressing question, doubt or astonishment)
HSK 6, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8727, Hard
乎
hū
in
HSK 6, zg, 5 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8727, Hard
hū(hu1)hu T1
1(classical particle similar to 於
2at
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March 24, 2026
乎hū(hu1)
The character 乎 (hū) functions primarily as a classical particle used to indicate location, source, or comparison, similar to the modern preposition 于 (yú). Additionally, it can serve as an exclamatory or interrogative particle, expressing surprise or questioning, akin to 吗 (ma) or 吧 (ba). Its usage is more prevalent in classical Chinese texts than in contemporary speech.
Strokes5Radical丿Frequency#8727DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In classical Chinese literature, 乎 is often found in poetry and philosophical texts, reflecting the linguistic style of ancient scholars. Its use highlights the richness of classical Chinese and provides insights into historical thought processes.
Memory tip
Imagine a person standing in a location, looking around in astonishment and saying, 'Where am I, here or there?' The shape of 乎 resembles a person (亻) questioning their surroundings, which ties into its meaning of indicating a place or expressing doubt.
Meanings of 乎
hū(hu1)
1(classical particle similar to 於
2at
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 乎
乎Simplified
5Strokes
丿Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#8727Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 乎
Podcast: 乎
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AI study notes for 乎
Usage Notes
Learners may mistakenly use 乎 in modern contexts where it's not appropriate, as it’s largely archaic. It's important to distinguish between classical and modern usage; in contemporary Chinese, other particles like 吗 or 在 are preferred for questions or locations. Be mindful of tone; 乎 is pronounced with a high flat tone (hū).
HSK Study Tips
Though 乎 is not part of the official HSK levels, understanding its usage can enhance comprehension of classical texts. Students should focus on recognizing its function as a particle in contrast to more commonly used modern terms, connecting it with the study of literary works.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 乎 with more common question particles like 吗 or 吧, using it incorrectly in casual conversation. For example, saying '你好吗?' (Nǐ hǎo ma?) is correct, while '你乎吗?' (Nǐ hū ma?) is not appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 乎
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How to say (classical particle similar to 於 in Chinese
“(classical particle similar to 於” in Chinese is乎hū
The character 乎 (hū) functions primarily as a classical particle used to indicate location, source, or comparison, similar to the modern preposition 于 (yú). Additionally, it can serve as an exclamatory or interrogative particle, expressing surprise or questioning, akin to 吗 (ma) or 吧 (ba). Its usage is more prevalent in classical Chinese texts than in contemporary speech.
When to use 乎
Learners may mistakenly use 乎 in modern contexts where it's not appropriate, as it’s largely archaic. It's important to distinguish between classical and modern usage; in contemporary Chinese, other particles like 吗 or 在 are preferred for questions or locations. Be mindful of tone; 乎 is pronounced with a high flat tone (hū).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 乎 with more common question particles like 吗 or 吧, using it incorrectly in casual conversation. For example, saying '你好吗?' (Nǐ hǎo ma?) is correct, while '你乎吗?' (Nǐ hū ma?) is not appropriate.
Write 乎
乎
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Practice writing 乎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 乎
乎 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Though 乎 (hū) is primarily a classical particle, it is rarely used in modern spoken Chinese. However, it may appear in literary works or historical texts, where understanding its usage can provide insight into classical Chinese grammar.
乎 (hū) and 吗 (ma) both serve as question particles, but 乎 is more formal and typically found in classical Chinese. 吗 is used in modern conversational Chinese to form yes-no questions, while 乎 may convey a sense of doubt or astonishment.
乎 (hū) is a classical Chinese particle that can mean 'in', 'at', 'from', or 'because'. It is also used as a final particle to express a question, doubt, or astonishment, similar to 吗 (ma) and 吧 (ba).
To use 乎 (hū) in a sentence, you can place it after a verb or noun to indicate location or comparison. For example, in classical texts, one might say '在山乎' (zài shān hū) meaning 'in the mountains'. Its use is more prevalent in classical literature than in modern spoken Chinese.
No, 乎 is primarily used in classical Chinese and is rarely found in everyday speech.
It may be introduced in advanced studies or classical literature courses, but it is not part of standard conversational training.
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