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March 24, 2026
哙(噲)kuài(Kuai4)
The character 哙 (kuài) primarily refers to the action of swallowing or gulping down food or drink. It can also imply a sense of greediness, suggesting a voracious appetite. This term is less commonly used in modern conversation and might appear in literary or historical contexts.
Strokes9Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of eating quickly or greedily can be linked to traditional Chinese banquets, where guests are encouraged to enjoy food heartily. However, there is also an emphasis on moderation and etiquette during meals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a large mouth (the radical '口' for 'mouth') who is greedily gulping down food (the rest of the character). The sound 'kuài' can be remembered by picturing them saying 'Quick! I want to swallow this!' as they eat hastily.
Meanings of 哙
kuài(Kuai4)
1to swallow, to gulp down; greedy
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About 哙
哙Simplified
噲Traditional
9Strokes
口Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 哙
Podcast: 哙
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AI Study Notes for 哙
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a large mouth (the radical '口' for 'mouth') who is greedily gulping down food (the rest of the character). The sound 'kuài' can be remembered by picturing them saying 'Quick! I want to swallow this!' as they eat hastily.
Usage Notes
In formal contexts, 哙 may not be commonly used, and learners should be cautious about using it in everyday conversations. It often appears in phrases related to eating or consuming quickly. Pay attention to the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As 哙 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on building their understanding of more frequently used verbs related to eating and drinking. Connecting this word to others like 吃 (chī, to eat) or 喝 (hē, to drink) can be beneficial.
Cultural Note
The concept of eating quickly or greedily can be linked to traditional Chinese banquets, where guests are encouraged to enjoy food heartily. However, there is also an emphasis on moderation and etiquette during meals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哙 with similar-sounding words. For instance, using 哙 (kuài) instead of 快 (kuài, meaning fast) can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure you're using the correct character based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哙
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Cultural Notes for 哙
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of eating quickly or greedily can be linked to traditional Chinese banquets, where guests are encouraged to enjoy food heartily. However, there is also an emphasis on moderation and etiquette during meals.
Word Family of 哙
Words Containing This Character1
哙kuàithroat噲
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Compound Meaning
What does 哙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 哙
No, 哙 is more often found in literary texts and is not commonly used in everyday speech.
Common phrases are rare, but it may appear in literary descriptions of feasts or gluttony.
It is pronounced 'kuài', with a falling tone, similar to saying 'quick' but with a longer 'ai' sound.