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March 24, 2026
啸(嘯)xiào(xiao4)
The character 啸 (xiào) refers to the action of producing a high-pitched sound, such as a hiss or whistle. It is commonly used to describe sounds made by animals, particularly in the context of howling or roaring, and can also be applied to human sounds like screaming or whistling. This character conveys a sense of intensity and emotion associated with the sound being made.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#71068DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, sounds like 啸 are often used to evoke a sense of nature or the emotional state of characters, linking the sound to deeper themes of solitude or freedom. It reflects the appreciation of nature in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wolf howling at the moon, producing a loud 'xiào' sound that echoes through the night. The character 啸 resembles a mouth (口) making a loud noise, while the 'xi' part can remind you of the start of the 'scream' it represents.
Meanings of 啸
xiào(xiao4)
1to hiss
2to whistle
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 啸
啸Simplified
嘯Traditional
11Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#65535Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啸
Podcast: 啸
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AI Study Notes for 啸
Quick Contrast
啼 (tí) - use 啸 (xiào) for high-pitched sounds like howling or whistling, while 啼 (tí) specifically refers to the cries of birds or infants.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wolf howling at the moon, producing a loud 'xiào' sound that echoes through the night. The character 啸 resembles a mouth (口) making a loud noise, while the 'xi' part can remind you of the start of the 'scream' it represents.
Usage Notes
When using 啸, be mindful of its context as it conveys strong emotions or sounds. It is more formal and literary compared to everyday terms for whistling or hissing. Common collocations include 啸叫 (to howl) and 啸风 (to whistle in the wind).
HSK Study Tips
Although 啸 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be related to other sound-related verbs like 吼 (hǒu - to roar) or 哭 (kū - to cry), which students should also focus on. Understanding these connections can enhance comprehension of emotional expressions in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, sounds like 啸 are often used to evoke a sense of nature or the emotional state of characters, linking the sound to deeper themes of solitude or freedom. It reflects the appreciation of nature in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啸 with other similar-sounding characters like 哮 (xiāo), which means to bark. A common mistake is using 啸 to describe everyday sounds like talking, which is incorrect; use 说 (shuō) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啸
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Grammar Patterns of 啸
啸 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他谈话时，一架军用喷气式飞机在镇子上空呼____而过。
As he talked, an airforce jet screamed over the town.
wǒ mén tīng dào tóu dǐng shàng zǐ dàn hū xiào ér guò de shēng yīn shí jiù pā zài dì shàng.
We laid ourselves flat when we heard the bullets whistling overhead.
Cultural Notes for 啸
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry and literature, sounds like 啸 are often used to evoke a sense of nature or the emotional state of characters, linking the sound to deeper themes of solitude or freedom. It reflects the appreciation of nature in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 啸
Words Containing This Character5
海啸hǎixiàotsunami海嘯
呼啸hūxiàoto whistle呼嘯
啸xiàoto hiss嘯
汪啸风Wang Xiaofeng (1944-), fourth governor of Hainan汪嘯風
奚啸伯Xi Xiaobo (1910-1977), Beijing opera star, one of the Four great beards 四大鬚生|四大须生奚嘯伯
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 海啸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啸
啸 is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in literary contexts to convey intensity in sounds.
Yes, it can describe human sounds like howling or screaming, often conveying strong emotions.
啸 is not part of a well-known idiom, but it may be found in poetic expressions or descriptions of nature.
