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March 24, 2026
啕(咷)táo(tao2)
The character 啕 (táo) means 'to wail' or 'to cry out loudly.' It is often used in contexts depicting intense emotional expressions, such as grief or distress. This term is typically found in literary or poetic settings rather than in everyday conversation.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese literature, wailing is often associated with mourning rituals and expressions of deep sorrow, reflecting the importance of emotional expression in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person wailing so loudly that their voice echoes (啕) through the mountains. The character has a mouth (口) radical, symbolizing the act of crying out, combined with another component that evokes the sound of wailing.
Meanings of 啕
táo(tao2)
1to wail
2wail
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 啕
啕Simplified
咷Traditional
11Strokes
口Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啕
Podcast: 啕
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AI Study Notes for 啕
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person wailing so loudly that their voice echoes (啕) through the mountains. The character has a mouth (口) radical, symbolizing the act of crying out, combined with another component that evokes the sound of wailing.
Usage Notes
啕 is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, so it may sound out of place in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. Common collocations include '啕啕而哭' (wailing and crying).
HSK Study Tips
Although 啕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for advanced learners interested in literary texts. Students should focus on recognizing its emotional connotation and differentiating it from more common expressions of crying.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese literature, wailing is often associated with mourning rituals and expressions of deep sorrow, reflecting the importance of emotional expression in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啕 with similar characters like 呐 (nà), which means 'to shout' and is more casual. Remember that 啕 implies a deeper emotional expression, specifically wailing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啕
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Cultural Notes for 啕
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese literature, wailing is often associated with mourning rituals and expressions of deep sorrow, reflecting the importance of emotional expression in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 啕
Words Containing This Character3
嚎啕大哭to wail
号啕to cry號啕
啕táowail咷
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 嚎啕大哭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啕
No, 啕 is more commonly found in literary contexts rather than everyday speech.
Synonyms include 哭 (kū), which means 'to cry,' but 啕 carries a stronger connotation of wailing.
The pronunciation is táo, with the tone being the second tone, which rises.
