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华 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
华huáabbr. for ChinaHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáMt Hua 華山HSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huá>华山 in ShaanxiHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huásurname HuaHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáold variant of 花[huā]HSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáflowerHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huámagnificentHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huásplendidHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáfloweryHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáflowery; illustrious; ChineseHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáold variant of 花[hua1]HSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huáMt Hua 華山|华山 in ShaanxiHSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàabbr. for ChinaHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàMt Hua 華山HSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huà>华山 in ShaanxiHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàsurname HuaHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàold variant of 花[huā]HSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàflowerHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàmagnificentHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàsplendidHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàfloweryHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàflowery; illustrious; ChineseHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàold variant of 花[hua1]HSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huàMt Hua 華山|华山 in ShaanxiHSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāabbr. for ChinaHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāMt Hua 華山HSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huā>华山 in ShaanxiHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāsurname HuaHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāold variant of 花[huā]HSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāflowerHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāmagnificentHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāsplendidHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāfloweryHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāflowery; illustrious; ChineseHSK 3, ns, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāold variant of 花[hua1]HSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
华huāMt Hua 華山|华山 in ShaanxiHSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 十, rank #3908, Hard
huā(hua1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1abbr. for China
  2. 2Mt Hua 華山
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
华(華)huā(hua1)

The character 华 (huā) primarily means 'flower' but also has connotations of magnificence and splendor. It is used in various contexts, including as an abbreviation for China and as a surname. The character conveys beauty and cultural significance, often associated with Chinese identity and heritage.

Strokes6Radical十Frequency#3908DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

华 is a key character in terms like '华人' (huárén), referring to Chinese people worldwide, reflecting the global Chinese diaspora and cultural identity. It is also found in the name for Mount Hua (华山), a famous and culturally significant mountain in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful flower (华) blooming under the sun, representing the splendor of China. The left part of the character suggests a majestic appearance, while the right side can be viewed as petals opening up, symbolizing growth and brilliance.

Meanings of 华

huā(hua1)
primary
1abbr. for China
2Mt Hua 華山
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 华

华Simplified
華Traditional
6Strokes
十Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#3908Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3

Podcast: 华

JasonAmy

Podcast: 华

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 华

Quick Contrast

华 (huā) vs 花 (huā) — use 华 for cultural or national connotations, and 花 specifically for the physical flower.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a beautiful flower (华) blooming under the sun, representing the splendor of China. The left part of the character suggests a majestic appearance, while the right side can be viewed as petals opening up, symbolizing growth and brilliance.

Usage Notes

华 can sometimes be confused with 花 (huā), which exclusively means 'flower.' It is used in both formal and informal contexts but is often seen in literary or poetic expressions. Be careful with tone; mispronouncing it as huá (with a rising tone) can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 华 is not included in standard HSK levels, it connects with other characters that express beauty and cultural significance, like 美 (měi, beautiful). Focus on recognizing its usage in names and phrases related to Chinese culture.

Cultural Note

华 is a key character in terms like '华人' (huárén), referring to Chinese people worldwide, reflecting the global Chinese diaspora and cultural identity. It is also found in the name for Mount Hua (华山), a famous and culturally significant mountain in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 华 with 花 (huā) due to their similar pronunciations. For example, saying '我喜欢华' (wǒ xǐhuān huā) when you mean 'I like flowers' should be corrected to '我喜欢花' (wǒ xǐhuān huā).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 华

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Etymology of 华

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 華. 化 is used here to represent the sound. The bottom component is a remnant from the traditional character 華.

Memory Hint

ten

Semantic (meaning)十
+
Phonetic (sound)化
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 华?

Decomposition of 华

IDS Structure⿱化十
华Full Character
=
化hua1
top
十shi2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 华?

Write 华

华

Practice writing 华 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 华

华 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons5
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

最初是什么让你来到____盛顿的？

What brought you to Washington in the first place?

Common Confusions with 华

华vs花
huā

Similar pronunciation but different meanings and usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "Mt Hua 華山"?

or

Example Sentences for 华 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
最初是什么让你来到华盛顿的？

zuì chū shì shí mó ràng nǐ lái dào huá shèng dùn de？

What brought you to Washington in the first place?
2
斯特兰德街是伦敦最繁华、最富足的街道之一。

sī tè lán dé jiē shì lún dūn zuì fán huá、 、 zuì fù zú de jiē dào zhī。

The Strand is one of London's busiest and most affluent streets.
3
音乐节一直是新秀展示才华的宝贵机会。

yīn lè jié yī zhí shì xīn xiù zhǎn shì cái huá de bǎo guì jī huì。

The festival remains a valuable showcase for new talent.
4
从这座房子可以俯瞰到特拉华湾壮丽的景致。

cóng zhè zuò fáng zǐ kě yǐ fǔ kàn dào tè lā huá wān zhuàng lì de jǐng zhì。

The house commanded some splendid views of Delaware Bay.
5
《华尔街日报》的一篇社论概述了很多保守派人士的观点。

《 《 huá ěr jiē rì》 bào 》 de yī piān shè lùn gài shù le hěn duō bǎo shǒu pài rén shì de。

A Wall Street Journal editorial encapsulated the views of many conservatives.
6
他最近对华盛顿的访问几乎是一场惨败。

tā zuì jìn duì huá shèng dùn de fǎng wèn jī hū shì yī cháng cǎn bài。

His last visit to Washington was little short of a fiasco.
7
他乘坐总统的豪华列车经过自己所在的州。

tā chéng zuò zǒng tǒng de háo huá liè chē jīng guò zì jǐ suǒ zài de zhōu。

He rode on the president's luxury train through his own state.
8
曼德拉先生在华盛顿受到热情的款待。

màn dé lā xiān shēng zài huá shèng dùn shòu dào rè qíng de kuǎn dài。

Mr Mandela was given a tumultuous reception in Washington.
9
华人服务生们站在一起，讲着只有他们自己才懂的笑话。

huá rén fú wù shēng mén zhàn zài yī qǐ， ， jiǎng zháo zhī yǒu tā mén zì jǐ cái dǒng de xiào。

Chinese waiters stood in a cluster, sharing a private joke.
10
昨天在华盛顿举行的中东和谈有了取得进展的迹象。

zuó tiān zài huá shèng dùn jǔ háng de zhōng dōng hé tán yǒu le qǔ dé jìn zhǎn de jì xiàng。

Middle East peace talks in Washington showed signs of progress yesterday.

Cultural Notes for 华

🏮Cultural insight

华 is a key character in terms like '华人' (huárén), referring to Chinese people worldwide, reflecting the global Chinese diaspora and cultural identity. It is also found in the name for Mount Hua (华山), a famous and culturally significant mountain in China.

Word Family of 华

Compounds6
哗hua1crashing sound
桦hua4a type of birch tree
晔ye4bright, radiant; thriving
烨ye4glorious, splendid; a blaze of fire
铧hua2spade, shovel, plowshare
骅hua2an excellent horse
Words Containing This Character20
新华社Xinhua News Agency新華社
华huāsplendid華
华盛顿Washington (name)華盛頓
豪华háohuáluxurious豪華
才华cáihuátalent才華
霍华德Howard (name)霍華德
中华zhōnghuáChina (alternate formal name)中華
华丽huálìgorgeous華麗
新华网Xinhua News Network新華網
爱德华Edward愛德華
中华人民共和国People's Republic of China中華人民共和國
华人huárénethnic Chinese person or people華人
华尔兹waltz (dance) (loanword)華爾茲
精华jīnghuábest feature精華
奢华luxurious奢華
华尔街Wall Street, New York華爾街
中华民族zhōnghuámínzúthe Chinese people中華民族
嘉年华jiāniánhuácarnival (loanword)嘉年華
繁华fánhuáflourishing繁華
华氏Fahrenheit華氏
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 哗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 华

Yes, 华 (Huá) is also a common Chinese surname. It is not as prevalent as some other surnames, but it has historical significance and can be found in various regions across China.