7th earthly branch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., noon, 5th solar month (6th June-6th July), year of the Horse
HSK 2, t, 4 strokes, radical 十, rank #11117, Hard
午
wǔ
noon; 7th terrestrial branch
HSK 2, t, 4 strokes, radical 十, rank #11117, Hard
午
wǔ
ancient Chinese compass point: 180° (south)
HSK 2, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 十, rank #11117, Hard
wǔ(wu3) T3
17th earthly branch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., noon, 5th solar month (6th June-6th July), year of the Horse
2noon; 7th terrestrial branch
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March 24, 2026
午wǔ(wu3)
The character 午 (wǔ) primarily refers to noon, specifically the time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also associated with the 5th solar month and the year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. In traditional Chinese culture, it represents the southern direction and is one of the earthly branches used in the Chinese calendar system.
Strokes4Radical十Frequency#11117DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, noon (午) is considered a significant time for meals and rest, often associated with the hottest part of the day. It's common to take a break or a nap during this period.
Memory Tip
Imagine a great horse (representing the year of the Horse) galloping straight to the south at noon, where the sun is highest in the sky. The character 午 looks like a horse's silhouette with the horizontal line representing the sun's position at midday.
Meanings of 午
wǔ(wu3)
17th earthly branch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., noon, 5th solar month (6th June-6th July), year of the Horse
2noon; 7th terrestrial branch
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 午
午Simplified
4Strokes
十Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#11117Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2
Podcast: 午
Podcast: 午
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AI Study Notes for 午
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a great horse (representing the year of the Horse) galloping straight to the south at noon, where the sun is highest in the sky. The character 午 looks like a horse's silhouette with the horizontal line representing the sun's position at midday.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 午 with similar-sounding characters. It is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing time. Be cautious with tones; the correct tone for 午 is the third tone (wǔ), not the second or fourth.
HSK Study Tips
Although 午 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to the basic understanding of time and dates, which are fundamental in HSK vocabulary. Students should practice using it in sentences related to daily activities and schedules.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, noon (午) is considered a significant time for meals and rest, often associated with the hottest part of the day. It's common to take a break or a nap during this period.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 午 with the character 误 (wù), which means 'to mistake' or 'error.' Ensure you remember that 午 refers to noon, not mistakes. For example, saying '我午了' (wǒ wǔ le) instead of '我错了' (wǒ cuò le) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 午
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Grammar Patterns of 午
午 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
There'll be bright or sunny spells and scattered showers this afternoon.
Cultural Notes for 午
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, noon (午) is considered a significant time for meals and rest, often associated with the hottest part of the day. It's common to take a break or a nap during this period.
Word Family of 午
Compounds11
许Xu3surname Xu
杵chu3pestle; to grind
忤wu3disobedient; stubborn; wrong
仵Wu3similar
啎
迕wu4obstinate, perverse
吘
旿
汻
玝
許xu3to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
Words Containing This Character20
下午xiàwǔafternoon
上午shàngwǔmorning
中午zhōngwǔnoon
午餐wǔcānlunch
午饭wǔfànlunch午飯
午夜midnight
午wǔancient Chinese compass point: 180° (south)
午后afternoon午後
午休noon break
午睡wǔshuìsiesta
午觉siesta午覺
正午midday
午餐会luncheon午餐會
午宴lunch banquet
端午节duānwǔjiéDragon Boat Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month)端午節
端午Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month)
子午线meridian子午線
午时11 am-1 pm (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)午時
甲午thirty-first year A7 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1954 or 2014
甲午战争First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)甲午戰爭
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 许 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 午
午 refers specifically to the time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., often referred to as noon.
In the Chinese zodiac, 午 represents the year of the Horse, which occurs every twelve years.
Yes, 午 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing time or dates.
