unknown, 15 strokes, radical 耳, rank #63433, Very Hard
聩
kuì
obtuse
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 耳, rank #63433, Very Hard
kuì(kui4) T4
1deaf
2born deaf
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
聩(聵)kuì(kui4)
The character 聩 (kuì) refers to being deaf or having a lack of hearing. It can describe individuals who are born deaf or those who are unable to hear due to other reasons. In a broader sense, it can imply being obtuse or lacking understanding.
Strokes15Radical耳Frequency#63433DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a growing awareness and acceptance of deafness and the use of sign language, influenced by international movements for disability rights. The character 聩 connects to this by highlighting the condition of being deaf.
Memory Tip
Imagine a quiet, serene lake where no sounds reach the surface. The character 聩 has the radical 聿, which relates to sound, and the bottom component 夭 symbolizes a lack of vitality. Picture someone who is unable to hear the splashes of water, embodying the meaning of being deaf.
Meanings of 聩
kuì(kui4)
1deaf
2born deaf
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 聩
聩Simplified
聵Traditional
15Strokes
耳Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 聩
Podcast: 聩
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 聩
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a quiet, serene lake where no sounds reach the surface. The character 聩 has the radical 聿, which relates to sound, and the bottom component 夭 symbolizes a lack of vitality. Picture someone who is unable to hear the splashes of water, embodying the meaning of being deaf.
Usage Notes
This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation, and learners might confuse it with similar-sounding words. It is important to use it in the correct context, especially when discussing disabilities or specific medical terms, to maintain a respectful tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 聩 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to HSK Level 4 words concerning disabilities or conditions. Focus on understanding the context in which this character might be used, especially in medical or psychological discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a growing awareness and acceptance of deafness and the use of sign language, influenced by international movements for disability rights. The character 聩 connects to this by highlighting the condition of being deaf.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 聩 with 聋 (lóng), which also means deaf but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我聩' instead of '我聋' would be incorrect in most contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 聩
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 聩 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 聩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 聩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there is a growing awareness and acceptance of deafness and the use of sign language, influenced by international movements for disability rights. The character 聩 connects to this by highlighting the condition of being deaf.
Word Family of 聩
Words Containing This Character4
振聋发聩lit. so loud that even the deaf can hear (idiom); rousing even the apathetic振聾發聵
聩kuìdeaf聵
昏聩muddle-headed昏聵
发聋振聩lit. so loud that even the deaf can hear (idiom); rousing even the apathetic發聾振聵
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 振聋发聩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 聩
No, 聩 is more specialized and often found in medical or formal contexts.
聩 specifically refers to being deaf or obtuse, while other terms may have different nuances or usages.
