Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
浑(渾)hún(hun2)
The character 浑 (hún) primarily means 'muddy' or 'turbid,' often used to describe liquids that are not clear due to impurities. It can also refer to the act of mixing or blending different substances together. This word is often used in both literal contexts, such as describing water quality, and metaphorical contexts, like discussing mixed feelings or thoughts.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#7725DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, clear water is often associated with purity and clarity of mind, while muddy water, represented by 浑, can symbolize confusion or moral ambiguity. This character may appear in discussions about philosophical concepts or in poetry that contrasts clarity and muddiness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a muddy river where the waters are all mixed together, making it hard to see through. The character 浑 has the water radical 氵 on the left, representing water, and the component 含 on the right, which sounds like 'hún,' reminding you of the muddy, blended state of the river.
Meanings of 浑
hún(hun2)
1muddy
2to mix
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 浑
浑Simplified
渾Traditional
9Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7725Frequency Rank
Podcast: 浑
Podcast: 浑
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 浑
Quick Contrast
浑 (hún) vs 混 (hùn) — use 浑 when specifically referring to muddy or turbid liquids, while 混 is more general for mixing or blending.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 浑 with similar-sounding characters like 混 (hùn), which also means to mix but has different usage contexts. While 浑 is more focused on muddiness, 混 can imply more general mixing or blending. The tone of 'hún' should be pronounced with a rising tone, which is crucial to convey the correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 浑 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 水 (water) and 混 (to mix). Focus on practicing the pronunciation and understanding the context in which it is used to enhance your vocabulary related to liquids and mixtures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 混 when they mean 浑, thinking both are interchangeable. Remember, 浑 emphasizes the muddiness aspect, so use 浑 when describing something that is turbid or unclear.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 浑
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 浑 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 军 represents the sound. Simplified form of 渾.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half军 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 浑? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 浑?
Decomposition of 浑
IDS Structure⿰氵军
浑Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
军jun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 浑?
How to say muddy in Chinese
“muddy” in Chinese is浑hún
The character 浑 (hún) primarily means 'muddy' or 'turbid,' often used to describe liquids that are not clear due to impurities. It can also refer to the act of mixing or blending different substances together. This word is often used in both literal contexts, such as describing water quality, and metaphorical contexts, like discussing mixed feelings or thoughts.
When to use 浑
Learners often confuse 浑 with similar-sounding characters like 混 (hùn), which also means to mix but has different usage contexts. While 浑 is more focused on muddiness, 混 can imply more general mixing or blending. The tone of 'hún' should be pronounced with a rising tone, which is crucial to convey the correct meaning.
浑 or something close to it
浑 (hún) vs 混 (hùn) — use 浑 when specifically referring to muddy or turbid liquids, while 混 is more general for mixing or blending.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 混 when they mean 浑, thinking both are interchangeable. Remember, 浑 emphasizes the muddiness aspect, so use 浑 when describing something that is turbid or unclear.
Write 浑
浑
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 浑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 浑
浑 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
