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March 24, 2026
啾jiū(jiu1)
The character 啾 (jiū) primarily represents the sound of a child wailing or chirping, akin to an onomatopoeic expression. It is commonly used in contexts related to the sounds made by young children or animals, and can also be used in a more playful context to refer to a kiss, especially in Taiwanese Mandarin.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sounds of children are often emphasized in songs and stories, reflecting the importance of childhood and playfulness. The use of onomatopoeia like 啾 highlights the expressive nature of the language.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child making a high-pitched ‘jiū’ sound, like a bird chirping or crying. The character has a mouth radical (口) indicating sound, and its phonetic component (丿) can remind you of movement, like a child flailing while crying.
Meanings of 啾
jiū(jiu1)
1the wailing of a child
2(onom.) wailing of child
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 啾
啾Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啾
Podcast: 啾
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AI Study Notes for 啾
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a child making a high-pitched ‘jiū’ sound, like a bird chirping or crying. The character has a mouth radical (口) indicating sound, and its phonetic component (丿) can remind you of movement, like a child flailing while crying.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 啾 with other similar-sounding characters. It is generally informal and used in playful contexts, so avoid using it in serious discussions. Common collocations include phrases that describe sounds, such as 啾啾 (chirp chirp).
HSK Study Tips
Although 啾 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it can be related to HSK Level 1 characters that involve sounds or actions. Focus on recognizing it in context, especially in children's stories or casual conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sounds of children are often emphasized in songs and stories, reflecting the importance of childhood and playfulness. The use of onomatopoeia like 啾 highlights the expressive nature of the language.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啾 with the similar-sounding 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird'. Remember that 啾 specifically refers to the sound made by the bird or child rather than the bird itself.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啾
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Cultural Notes for 啾
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the sounds of children are often emphasized in songs and stories, reflecting the importance of childhood and playfulness. The use of onomatopoeia like 啾 highlights the expressive nature of the language.
Word Family of 啾
Words Containing This Character3
啾jiūchirp
啁啾chirp
唧啾(onom.) babble
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 啾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啾
啾 primarily refers to the sounds of wailing, chirping, or a playful kiss, depending on the context.
No, 啾 is informal and typically found in casual speech or children's literature.
