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#11117DifficultyEasy
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
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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
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.
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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Pictograph of a pestle used for pounding rice, now written as 杵. The current meaning "noon" is a phonetic loan.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Decomposition of 午
IDS Structure⿻丿干
午Full Character
=
丿pie3
outer
干gan1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 午?
How to say 7th earthly branch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., noon, 5th solar month (6th June-6th July), year of the Horse in Chinese
“7th earthly branch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., noon, 5th solar month (6th June-6th July), year of the Horse” in Chinese is午wǔ
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.
When to use 午
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 午
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.
