Meanings of 哽
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About 哽
Podcast: 哽
Podcast: 哽
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AI Study Notes for 哽
哽 (gěng) vs 哭 (kū) — use 哽 when emphasizing the inability to speak due to emotion, while 哭 simply means to cry.
哽 is typically used in emotional contexts and may appear in both written and spoken Chinese. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings; its usage is more formal and may not be appropriate in casual conversations.
While 哽 is not included in HSK word lists, it connects with other emotional vocabulary found in HSK levels, such as 哭 (kū, to cry) and 感动 (gǎndòng, to be moved). Focus on using it in sentences related to emotions to solidify understanding.
Learners often confuse 哽 with 哭 (kū), which simply means 'to cry.' For example, saying '我哽了' (Wǒ gěng le) incorrectly implies just crying, while it should convey the choking aspect—better phrased as '我哽咽了' (Wǒ gěngyàn le).
Pronunciation of 哽
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Etymology of 哽
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 更 represents the sound.
mouth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 哽
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 更 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half更 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 哽? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 哽?
Decomposition of 哽
Identify the Components
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How to say to sob; to choke up in Chinese
“to sob; to choke up” in Chinese is哽
The character 哽 (gěng) refers to the act of choking up or sobbing due to intense emotion. It is often used to describe a situation where someone is unable to speak clearly because of tears or overwhelming feelings, typically in emotional contexts like grief or joy.
When to use 哽
哽 is typically used in emotional contexts and may appear in both written and spoken Chinese. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings; its usage is more formal and may not be appropriate in casual conversations.
哽 or something close to it
哽 (gěng) vs 哭 (kū) — use 哽 when emphasizing the inability to speak due to emotion, while 哭 simply means to cry.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 哽 with 哭 (kū), which simply means 'to cry.' For example, saying '我哽了' (Wǒ gěng le) incorrectly implies just crying, while it should convey the choking aspect—better phrased as '我哽咽了' (Wǒ gěngyàn le).
Write 哽
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Practice writing 哽 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 哽
哽 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
“本为什么要那样做？”她____咽着问。
"Why did Ben do that?" she asked, in a choked voice.
Example Sentences for 哽 (4)
Word Family of 哽
Compound Meaning
What does 哽咽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 哽
You can say, '她哽咽着说不出话来' (Tā gěngyàn zhe shuō bù chū huà lái), meaning 'She choked up and couldn't speak.'
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