unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
哮
xiào
roar
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
哮
xiào
bark (of animals)
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
哮
xiāo
to cough; to pant; to roar
n, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
哮
xiāo
pant
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
哮
xiāo
roar
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
哮
xiāo
bark (of animals)
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #29064, Very Hard
xiāo(xiao1)
primary
T1
1to cough; to pant; to roar
2pant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
哮xiāo(xiao1)
The character 哮 (xiāo) refers to the sounds made by animals, particularly when they are panting, roaring, or barking. It can also describe a person's coughing or heavy breathing, often in a context of exertion or distress. This word is commonly used in descriptions of animal sounds or intense physical states.
Strokes10Radical口Frequency#29064DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sounds made by animals play an important role in folklore and poetry, often symbolizing strength or emotion. The use of 哮 in literature can evoke vivid imagery, making it a powerful term in storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lion roaring with a deep breath that sounds like 'xiāo', where its roar echoes in the jungle. The character 哮 has the radical 口 (kǒu), which represents a mouth, emphasizing how this word relates to vocal sounds.
Meanings of 哮
xiāo(xiao1)
primary
1to cough; to pant; to roar
2pant
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 哮
哮Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 哮
Podcast: 哮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 哮
Quick Contrast
吼 (hǒu) refers specifically to a roar or shout, typically associated with larger animals or a loud vocalization, while 哮 (xiāo) encompasses a broader range of sounds including panting and coughing.
Usage Notes
While 哮 can refer to both animals and humans, it is more frequently used in literary or dramatic contexts to describe powerful sounds. Be careful not to confuse it with related characters like 咳 (kè), which means to cough in a milder sense. This term is more formal and may not be used in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Though 哮 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects with other words related to sounds and breathing. Students should focus on pronunciation and the context in which it appears, as it often conveys intensity in animal or human actions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哮 with the simpler 咳 (kè), which means to cough. A common mistake is saying 哮 for a light cough; instead, use 咳 for that context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哮
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Drill the tone of 哮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 孝 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half孝 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 哮? 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 哮?
Decomposition of 哮
IDS Structure⿰口孝
哮Full Character
=
口kou3
left
孝xiao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 哮?
How to say to cough; to pant; to roar in Chinese
“to cough; to pant; to roar” in Chinese is哮xiào
The character 哮 (xiāo) refers to the sounds made by animals, particularly when they are panting, roaring, or barking. It can also describe a person's coughing or heavy breathing, often in a context of exertion or distress. This word is commonly used in descriptions of animal sounds or intense physical states.
When to use 哮
While 哮 can refer to both animals and humans, it is more frequently used in literary or dramatic contexts to describe powerful sounds. Be careful not to confuse it with related characters like 咳 (kè), which means to cough in a milder sense. This term is more formal and may not be used in casual conversation.
哮 or something close to it
吼 (hǒu) refers specifically to a roar or shout, typically associated with larger animals or a loud vocalization, while 哮 (xiāo) encompasses a broader range of sounds including panting and coughing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 哮 with the simpler 咳 (kè), which means to cough. A common mistake is saying 哮 for a light cough; instead, use 咳 for that context.
Write 哮
哮
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Practice writing 哮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 哮
哮 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 4 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
对猫类过敏是____喘病发作最常见的诱因之一。
Allergy to cats is one of the commonest causes of asthma.
