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March 24, 2026
汹(洶)xiōng(xiong1)
汹 (xiōng) describes a state of intense and often chaotic movement, typically associated with water, such as a torrential river or turbulent waves. It can also refer to a restless or tumultuous situation in a broader context, conveying a sense of urgency or agitation.
Strokes7Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry,汹 often evokes imagery of nature's power, reflecting the cultural appreciation for the forces of nature and their impact on human life, particularly in relation to rivers and storms.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce river,汹, rushing down a mountain, creating a chaotic scene. The '水' (water) radical reminds you of the water's wild behavior, and the '洪' (flood) component hints at its tumultuous nature. Think of the sound 'xiōng' as a roaring echo of the rushing waters.
Meanings of 汹
xiōng(xiong1)
1torrential rush
2tumultuous
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 汹
汹Simplified
洶Traditional
7Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 汹
Podcast: 汹
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AI Study Notes for 汹
Quick Contrast
汹涌 (xiōngyǒng) vs 汹闹 (xiōngnào) — use 汹涌 when describing turbulent water or chaotic movement, while 汹闹 refers specifically to noisy or uproarious situations.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce river,汹, rushing down a mountain, creating a chaotic scene. The '水' (water) radical reminds you of the water's wild behavior, and the '洪' (flood) component hints at its tumultuous nature. Think of the sound 'xiōng' as a roaring echo of the rushing waters.
Usage Notes
汹 is often used in more descriptive or literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. It’s important to pair it with appropriate nouns, like '汹涌' (xiōngyǒng), meaning 'turbulent' or 'raging'. Be careful with its tone; mispronouncing it as 'xiōng' (first tone) may lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While汹 is not included in standard HSK levels, it connects with words related to water and movement, which are common in HSK vocabulary. Focus on understanding its usage in descriptive phrases to enhance your expressive capabilities in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry,汹 often evokes imagery of nature's power, reflecting the cultural appreciation for the forces of nature and their impact on human life, particularly in relation to rivers and storms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse汹 with similar-sounding words and misuse it in contexts that are too formal or literary for everyday speech. For example, using '汹' to describe a calm situation would be incorrect; instead, use it only for turbulent scenarios.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 汹
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Grammar Patterns of 汹
汹 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
有时海上波涛____涌，她就会晕船。
It was quite rough at times, and she was seasick.
Example Sentences for 汹 (7)
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1
有时海上波涛汹涌，她就会晕船。
yǒu shí hǎi shàng bō tāo xiōng yǒng， ， tā jiù huì yùn。
Fish and seaweed rose, caught motionless in the surging water.
7
汹涌的波涛猛烈地冲击着礁岸.
xiōng yǒng de bō tāo měng liè dì chōng jī zháo jiāo àn.
The foaming waves chafe against the rocky shore.
Cultural Notes for 汹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and poetry,汹 often evokes imagery of nature's power, reflecting the cultural appreciation for the forces of nature and their impact on human life, particularly in relation to rivers and storms.
Word Family of 汹
Words Containing This Character4
汹涌xiōngyǒngturbulent洶湧
气势汹汹aggressive氣勢洶洶
波涛汹涌waves surging forth波濤洶涌
汹xiōngtumultuous洶
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 汹涌 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 汹
You can combine汹 with adjectives like '汹涌' (xiōngyǒng) to describe turbulent waters or scenarios.
It's more common in literary contexts or when describing intense natural phenomena rather than in casual conversation.
Think of the sound 'xiōng' as the roar of a fierce river, helping you connect the sound with its meaning.
