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March 24, 2026
唿hū(hu1)
The character 唿 (hū) is used to represent the sound of whistling or a sigh, often indicating sadness or a lament. It can also denote the sound of the wind, making it an onomatopoeic term that captures certain emotional expressions in various contexts.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sounds like whistling or sighing can convey feelings of sadness or longing, often found in poetry or music. This character embodies the cultural nuance of expressing internal feelings outwardly.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person who is sad, standing in a windy place, and letting out a long whistle of despair. The character 唿 has a '口' (kǒu) inside it, which represents a mouth making this whistling sound, helping you remember both its pronunciation (hū) and meaning.
Meanings of 唿
hū(hu1)
1sad
2to whistle (with fingers in one's mouth)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 唿
唿Simplified
11Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 唿
Podcast: 唿
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AI Study Notes for 唿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person who is sad, standing in a windy place, and letting out a long whistle of despair. The character 唿 has a '口' (kǒu) inside it, which represents a mouth making this whistling sound, helping you remember both its pronunciation (hū) and meaning.
Usage Notes
唿 is usually used in informal contexts, often expressing an emotion or reaction rather than a direct action. Be cautious with tone; the first tone (hū) is crucial, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 唿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other HSK words expressing emotions or sounds, such as 哭 (kū - to cry) or 响 (xiǎng - to sound). Focus on pronunciation and usage in emotional contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sounds like whistling or sighing can convey feelings of sadness or longing, often found in poetry or music. This character embodies the cultural nuance of expressing internal feelings outwardly.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 唿 with similar-sounding characters. For example, saying 'hù' instead of 'hū' can change the meaning entirely. Focus on maintaining the first tone during pronunciation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 唿
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Grammar Patterns of 唿
唿 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 3 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 2
Complete the Sentence
他向狗打一声____哨, 随即赶紧走开.
He whistled on the dog, and walked rapidly away.
Example Sentences for 唿 (2)
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1
他向狗打一声唿哨, 随即赶紧走开.
tā xiàng gǒu dǎ yī shēng hū shào, , suí jí gǎn jǐn zǒu.
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sounds like whistling or sighing can convey feelings of sadness or longing, often found in poetry or music. This character embodies the cultural nuance of expressing internal feelings outwardly.
Word Family of 唿
Words Containing This Character2
唿hū(onom.) for the sound of the wind
唿哨nowadays written 呼哨
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 唿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 唿
唿 often signifies sadness or longing, expressed through whistling or sighing.
唿 is pronounced with a high, even tone (hū), which is important to distinguish it from other similar-sounding characters.
Generally, 唿 is more suitable for informal contexts and emotional expression rather than formal writing.
