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March 24, 2026
呕(嘔)ǒu(ou3)
The character 呕 (ǒu) primarily means 'to vomit' or 'to regurgitate.' It can also imply feelings of annoyance or being enraged, often used in contexts where something is particularly disgusting or upsetting. This word is commonly used in both medical and casual conversations related to health or emotional reactions.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#11342DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of vomiting is often associated with the body's way of expelling harmful substances. This reflects a cultural belief in the body's natural processes and the importance of maintaining balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine the sound 'ǒu' resembling the noise someone makes right before they vomit. Picture someone feeling nauseous, holding their stomach, and preparing to let it all out, which visually ties back to the character's meaning of vomit.
Meanings of 呕
ǒu(ou3)
1vomit
2to vomit; to annoy, to enrage
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 呕
呕Simplified
嘔Traditional
7Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#11342Frequency Rank
Podcast: 呕
Podcast: 呕
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AI Study Notes for 呕
Quick Contrast
呕 (ǒu) vs 恶 (è) — use 呕 for physical vomiting or regurgitation, while 恶 refers to something bad or unpleasant in a moral or emotional sense.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 呕 with similar-sounding words that carry different meanings. This term is generally used in informal contexts, particularly when discussing unpleasant physical sensations. It often collocates with words related to nausea and disgust.
HSK Study Tips
Although 呕 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be a useful addition for learners focusing on health-related topics. Students at this level should also pay attention to related vocabulary such as 恶心 (ěxīn - nauseous) to build a broader understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 呕 by applying it in contexts that are too formal. For example, saying '我呕这个项目' (I vomit this project) instead of choosing a more appropriate term like '我对这个项目很失望' (I am disappointed with this project).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 呕
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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 区 represents the sound. Simplified form of 嘔.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half区 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 呕? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 呕?
Decomposition of 呕
IDS Structure⿰口区
呕Full Character
=
口kou3
left
区Ou1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 呕?
How to say vomit in Chinese
“vomit” in Chinese is呕ǒu
The character 呕 (ǒu) primarily means 'to vomit' or 'to regurgitate.' It can also imply feelings of annoyance or being enraged, often used in contexts where something is particularly disgusting or upsetting. This word is commonly used in both medical and casual conversations related to health or emotional reactions.
When to use 呕
Be careful not to confuse 呕 with similar-sounding words that carry different meanings. This term is generally used in informal contexts, particularly when discussing unpleasant physical sensations. It often collocates with words related to nausea and disgust.
呕 or something close to it
呕 (ǒu) vs 恶 (è) — use 呕 for physical vomiting or regurgitation, while 恶 refers to something bad or unpleasant in a moral or emotional sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 呕 by applying it in contexts that are too formal. For example, saying '我呕这个项目' (I vomit this project) instead of choosing a more appropriate term like '我对这个项目很失望' (I am disappointed with this project).
Write 呕
呕
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Practice writing 呕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 呕
呕 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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
Complete the Sentence
赫尔·施密特无疑是我见过的最让人作____的人。
Herr Schmidt is certainly the most odious man I have ever met.
Example Sentences for 呕 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
赫尔·施密特无疑是我见过的最让人作呕的人。
hè ěr· · shī mì tè wú yí shì wǒ jiàn guò de zuì ràng rén zuò ǒu de。
Herr Schmidt is certainly the most odious man I have ever met.
2
那只不过是以令人作呕的溜须拍马为能事的新闻报道。
nà zhī bù guò shì yǐ líng rén zuò ǒu de liū xū pāi mǎ wéi néng shì de xīn wén bào dào。
Nauseatingly fawning journalism that's all it is.
3
那人真是个令人作呕的伪君子！
nà rén zhēn shì gè líng rén zuò ǒu de wěi jūn zǐ！
What a revolting humbug the man was!
4
如果患者进食欠佳，药物会让他们感觉作呕。
rú guǒ huàn zhě jìn shí qiàn jiā， ， yào wù huì ràng tā mén gǎn jué zuò。
If the patient is poorly nourished, the drugs make them feel nauseous.
