Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
猾huá(hua2)
The character 猾 (huá) refers to someone who is sly, crafty, or cunning. It is often used to describe individuals who employ deceitful tactics to achieve their goals. This term carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of honesty or integrity.
Strokes12Radical犭Frequency#47006DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese folklore, cunning characters often play the role of tricksters, leading to moral lessons about the consequences of deceit. The character 猾 reflects this cultural attitude towards deceitfulness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sly fox (狐狸, húli) sneaking through the forest, its fur glistening in the moonlight, representing the character 猾. The fox's cunning nature aligns with the meaning of 'crafty' or 'sly,' and the pronunciation 'huá' can remind you of the sound of whispering secrets.
Meanings of 猾
huá(hua2)
1sly
2crafty, cunning, shrewd; deceitful
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 猾
猾Simplified
12Strokes
犭Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#47006Frequency Rank
Podcast: 猾
Podcast: 猾
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 猾
Quick Contrast
狡 (jiǎo) - use 猾 (huá) when emphasizing craftiness with a negative tone, while 狡 (jiǎo) can imply cleverness without the same level of deceit.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sly fox (狐狸, húli) sneaking through the forest, its fur glistening in the moonlight, representing the character 猾. The fox's cunning nature aligns with the meaning of 'crafty' or 'sly,' and the pronunciation 'huá' can remind you of the sound of whispering secrets.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 猾 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This term is usually used in informal contexts to describe negative characteristics, and it often collocates with words like '人' (person) and '手段' (means). Remember that it should not be used to positively describe someone's cleverness.
HSK Study Tips
While 猾 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to the HSK 4 theme of describing personality traits. Focus on the context in which this word is used and try to pair it with other descriptive words you learn in your studies.
Cultural Note
In Chinese folklore, cunning characters often play the role of tricksters, leading to moral lessons about the consequences of deceit. The character 猾 reflects this cultural attitude towards deceitfulness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 猾 with the more neutral term 聪明 (cōngmíng), which means 'smart' or 'clever.' Remember, 猾 implies dishonesty, so use it only for negative contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 猾
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 猾 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 猾 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 猾
猾 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他确确实实是个老奸巨____的家伙。
He's a sly old beggar if ever there was one.
Example Sentences for 猾 (4)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他确确实实是个老奸巨猾的家伙。
tā què què shí shí shì gè lǎo jiān jù huá de jiā huǒ。
He's a sly old beggar if ever there was one.
2
这句问话是一种穷急智生的狡猾的遁辞词.
zhè jù wèn huà shì yī zhǒng qióng jí zhì shēng de jiǎo huá de dùn cí cí.
The question was a quick, shrewd parry.
3
他吃, 他喝, 他嫖,他赌, 他懒, 他狡猾,因为他没了心,他的心被人家摘了去.
tā chī, , tā, hē ,, tā piáo, , tā, dǔ , tā, lǎn , tā jiǎo huá ,, yīn wéi tā méi le xīn , tā de.
He ate, drank, whored, gambled, lazed around and schemed because he no longer had a conscience.
There are plenty of fish in the river, and good baits on my line, but the fish are getting clever and refuse to rise to the
Cultural Notes for 猾
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese folklore, cunning characters often play the role of tricksters, leading to moral lessons about the consequences of deceit. The character 猾 reflects this cultural attitude towards deceitfulness.
Word Family of 猾
Words Containing This Character4
狡猾jiǎohuácrafty
猾huásly
老奸巨猾cunning
奸猾crafty
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 狡猾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 猾
猾 is a negative term used to describe someone who is deceitful or cunning.
You might say, '他很猾' (Tā hěn huá) meaning 'He is very sly.'
Yes, similar words include 狡猾 (jiǎohuá) and 精明 (jīngmíng), both of which also imply cunningness.
