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March 24, 2026
呼hū(hu1)
The character 呼 (hū) primarily means 'to call' or 'to shout,' and it can also refer to the act of breathing out or exhaling. It is often used in contexts where someone is summoning another person or expressing a strong emotion through loud vocalization. The character's versatility allows it to be used in both literal and figurative senses.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#2773DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 呼 is not only about calling someone but also plays a role in traditional practices like 呼吸 (hūxī, to breathe), which is significant in both health and martial arts contexts, emphasizing the importance of breath control.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone shouting 'Hoo!' to call their friend across a crowded street. The '呼' character looks like a mouth open wide, ready to shout, capturing the essence of calling out or exhaling sound.
Meanings of 呼
hū(hu1)
1to call
2to cry
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 呼
呼Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2773Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 呼
Podcast: 呼
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AI Study Notes for 呼
Quick Contrast
呼 (hū, to call) vs 叫 (jiào, to shout) — use 呼 when emphasizing the act of calling or summoning someone, while 叫 is more about shouting or making a loud noise.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone shouting 'Hoo!' to call their friend across a crowded street. The '呼' character looks like a mouth open wide, ready to shout, capturing the essence of calling out or exhaling sound.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 呼 with similar-sounding characters or using it inappropriately in formal contexts where more refined terms are required. It often collocates with words like '喊' (hǎn, to shout) and '叫' (jiào, to call), so pay attention to the differences in usage.
HSK Study Tips
Although 呼 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners at HSK Level 2-3 due to its practical applications in daily conversation. Students should focus on the pronunciation and contexts in which 呼 is used to call or shout.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 呼 is not only about calling someone but also plays a role in traditional practices like 呼吸 (hūxī, to breathe), which is significant in both health and martial arts contexts, emphasizing the importance of breath control.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 呼 with 号 (hào, to number or to signify) due to similar meanings related to calling. For example, saying '我呼这个号码' (Wǒ hū zhège hàomǎ) instead of '我叫这个号码' (Wǒ jiào zhège hàomǎ) is incorrect; '叫' is more appropriate for numbers.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 呼
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Grammar Patterns of 呼
呼 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
As he talked, an airforce jet screamed over the town.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
I held my breath and sank under the water.
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Cultural Notes for 呼
💡Did you know?
'呼' is often associated with expressions of emotion. In Chinese culture, calling someone's name loudly can signify urgency or affection, reflecting the importance of personal relationships.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 呼 is not only about calling someone but also plays a role in traditional practices like 呼吸 (hūxī, to breathe), which is significant in both health and martial arts contexts, emphasizing the importance of breath control.
Word Family of 呼
Words Containing This Character20
呼吸hūxīto breathe
呼hūto call
招呼zhāohuto greet
呼吁hūyùan appeal呼籲
呼叫to shout
称呼chēnghuto call稱呼
欢呼huānhūto cheer for歡呼
打招呼dǎzhāohuto give prior notice
呼唤hūhuànto shout呼喚
呼呼(onom.) sound of the wind or the breathing of sb who is sound asleep
呼声hūshēnga shout呼聲
呼吸道respiratory tract
高呼to shout loudly
呼喊to shout (slogans etc)
惊呼to cry out in alarm or surprise驚呼
呼啸hūxiàoto whistle呼嘯
呼应hūyìngto echo呼應
呼救hūjiùto call for help
呜呼alas嗚呼
呼和浩特Hohhot prefecture-level city, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区[NèiměnggǔZìzhìqū]
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 呼吸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 呼
呼 is pronounced as 'hū' with a high, level tone. Practicing the tone is essential, as it can change the meaning of words in Mandarin. Listening to native speakers can help you grasp the correct pronunciation.
Some synonyms for 呼 include 叫 (jiào), which means to shout or call out, and 喊 (hǎn), which also means to shout. These terms can be used interchangeably in many contexts, but it's important to understand their nuances in different situations.
呼 can be used in various contexts, such as '我呼叫你' (wǒ hūjiào nǐ), which means 'I call you.' You can also use it in phrases like '呼吸' (hūxī), meaning 'to breathe.' Understanding its usage in different situations can enhance your conversational skills.
呼 (hū) means to call, cry, shout, or exhale. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is making a loud noise to get attention or expressing strong emotions. Additionally, it can refer to the action of breathing out.
Common phrases include 呼喊 (hū hǎn, to shout) and 呼叫 (hū jiào, to call out).
呼 is generally informal; for formal situations, consider using 召唤 (zhàohuàn, to summon) instead.
呼 is pronounced as 'hū,' with a high tone. Practice saying it with emphasis to distinguish it from other similar sounds.
