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March 24, 2026
惑huò(huo4)
惑 (huò) means to confuse or to be puzzled about something. It is often used in contexts where someone is uncertain or misled, whether by information, feelings, or situations. This character conveys a sense of doubt or a state of being perplexed.
Strokes12Radical心Frequency#16248DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being puzzled or confused is often associated with seeking wisdom or enlightenment, as reflected in philosophical texts where questioning is a pathway to understanding. The concept of confusion is sometimes explored in literature and art, representing the journey to clarity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'huò' (惑) as a maze that confuses you. The character has the radical for 'heart' (心) at the bottom, indicating that confusion often comes from our emotions or thoughts, leading us into a puzzled state like getting lost in a maze.
Meanings of 惑
huò(huo4)
1to confuse
2to be puzzled
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 惑
惑Simplified
12Strokes
心Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16248Frequency Rank
Podcast: 惑
Podcast: 惑
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AI Study Notes for 惑
Quick Contrast
困 (kùn) means to be trapped or to feel stuck, while 惑 (huò) focuses more on confusion or being puzzled; use 惑 for uncertainty and doubt, and 困 for physical or mental entrapment.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'huò' (惑) as a maze that confuses you. The character has the radical for 'heart' (心) at the bottom, indicating that confusion often comes from our emotions or thoughts, leading us into a puzzled state like getting lost in a maze.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 惑 with similar-sounding words, as it has a specific meaning related to confusion and puzzlement. It is more commonly used in written language than in casual conversation. Typical collocations include '惑于' (confused by) and '惑乱' (to mislead).
HSK Study Tips
Although 惑 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is important for students to understand its meaning as it can appear in advanced texts. Focus on its use in idiomatic expressions and as part of phrases that express uncertainty.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being puzzled or confused is often associated with seeking wisdom or enlightenment, as reflected in philosophical texts where questioning is a pathway to understanding. The concept of confusion is sometimes explored in literature and art, representing the journey to clarity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 惑 with 误 (wù, to mislead) due to similar contexts. For example, saying '他惑了我' (He misled me) is incorrect; it should be '他误导了我'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 惑
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Grammar Patterns of 惑
惑 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.
"I was once as bewildered as you are," she said meaningfully.
8
令人疑惑的是，她看上去就像一位面熟的邻家阿姨或是祖母。
líng rén yí huò de shì， ， tā kàn shàng qù jiù xiàng yī wèi miàn shú de lín jiā ā yí huò shì zǔ。
She looks disconcertingly like a familiar aunt or grandmother.
9
总的来说，她对生活非常困惑。
zǒng de lái shuō， ， tā duì shēng huó fēi cháng kùn。
She had a confused idea of life in general.
10
听到别人对自己工作的指责，他的反应主要是困惑。
tīng dào bié rén duì zì jǐ gōng zuò de zhǐ zé， ， tā de fǎn yīng zhǔ yào shì kùn。
His response to attacks on his work was chiefly bewilderment.
Cultural Notes for 惑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being puzzled or confused is often associated with seeking wisdom or enlightenment, as reflected in philosophical texts where questioning is a pathway to understanding. The concept of confusion is sometimes explored in literature and art, representing the journey to clarity.
Word Family of 惑
Words Containing This Character17
诱惑yòuhuòto entice誘惑
困惑kùnhuòbewildered
迷惑míhuòto puzzle
疑惑yíhuòto doubt
惑huòto confuse
蛊惑to poison蠱惑
魅惑to entice
解惑to dispel doubts
迷惑不解míhuòbùjiěto feel puzzled
不惑without doubt
惶惑anxious and perplexed
大惑不解to be at a loss (idiom)
蛊惑人心to resort to demagogy蠱惑人心
荧惑to bewilder熒惑
妖言惑众to delude the people with lies妖言惑眾
眩惑confusion
谣言惑众to mislead the public with rumors謠言惑衆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 诱惑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 惑
You can say '我对这个问题感到惑' (I feel puzzled about this question).
No, 惑 is more often found in written texts or formal discussions rather than in casual speech.
Yes, synonyms include 迷 (mí, to be lost) and 疑 (yí, to doubt).
