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March 24, 2026
呃è(e4)
The character 呃 (è) is an exclamation used in Mandarin to express hesitation or to indicate a pause in speech. It can also mean to belch or hiccup, often reflecting a spontaneous physical reaction. In conversation, it is commonly used to fill gaps while thinking or when one is unsure about how to continue.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#183DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pauses in conversation can be more accepted than in some Western cultures, where rapid back-and-forth dialogue is encouraged. The use of 呃 reflects a cultural nuance of taking time to think before speaking.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone hesitating during a conversation, they might say 'eh' (pronounced like 'è') while they gather their thoughts. The character 呃, which looks like a person pausing with their mouth open, symbolizes this moment of pause and uncertainty.
Meanings of 呃
è(e4)
1belch; hiccup
2(exclamation)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 呃 means.
About 呃
呃Simplified
7Strokes
口Radical
语气词yǔqìcímodal particle (mod.part.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 呃
Podcast: 呃
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AI Study Notes for 呃
Usage Notes
While 呃 is often used informally in spoken language, it may come across as unrefined in formal writing. Learners should avoid overusing it in professional contexts. Additionally, be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 呃 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners in developing conversational fluency. Focus on recognizing it in dialogues and using it appropriately when pausing in speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 呃 with other exclamatory words. For instance, saying '呃' when trying to express surprise instead of hesitation can be incorrect. Instead, use '哇' (wā) for surprise.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 呃
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How Well Do You Know 呃?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 呃 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
呃 = 口 + 厄. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 呃
IDS Structure⿰口厄
呃Full Character
=
口kou3
left
厄e4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 呃?
How to say belch; hiccup in Chinese
“belch; hiccup” in Chinese is呃è
The character 呃 (è) is an exclamation used in Mandarin to express hesitation or to indicate a pause in speech. It can also mean to belch or hiccup, often reflecting a spontaneous physical reaction. In conversation, it is commonly used to fill gaps while thinking or when one is unsure about how to continue.
When to use 呃
While 呃 is often used informally in spoken language, it may come across as unrefined in formal writing. Learners should avoid overusing it in professional contexts. Additionally, be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 呃 with other exclamatory words. For instance, saying '呃' when trying to express surprise instead of hesitation can be incorrect. Instead, use '哇' (wā) for surprise.
Write 呃
呃
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Practice writing 呃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 呃
呃 functions as a grammatical particle — it carries no standalone meaning but signals a grammatical relationship. Particles attach to specific positions in the sentence (clause-final 吗/吧/呢, post-verbal 了/过/着, post-noun 的) and rarely move. It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我是，____，6月底来到这里的。
I've been here, oh, since the end of June.
Example Sentences for 呃 (10)
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1
我是，呃，6月底来到这里的。
wǒ shì， ，，6 è ，6 yuè dǐ lái dào zhè。
I've been here, oh, since the end of June.
2
“呃，观众们，你们好，”他含混不清地说。
“ “， è ， guān， zhòng mén ，，” nǐ mén hǎo ，” tā hán hùn。
"Er, hello, viewers," he babbled.
3
贵重的展品，呃哼，丢失的话，会众人皆知。
guì zhòng de zhǎn pǐn， ， è， hēng ， diū shī， de huà ， huì zhòng。
It is not unknown for valuable display items to go, ahem, missing.
4
我想我应该，呃，和你谈谈。
wǒ xiǎng wǒ yīng gāi， ，， è ， hé nǐ。
I thought I'd, you know, have a chat with you.
5
我不太同意，呃，我们位居第三的说法。
wǒ bù tài tóng yì， ，， è ， wǒ mén wèi jū dì sān de。
I would challenge the, er, suggestion that we're in third place.
