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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#16248DifficultyVery Hard
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
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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.
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.
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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Knowing 惑 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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.
When to use 惑
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).
惑 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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'.
Write 惑
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.
