unknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #17868, Very Hard
褐
hè
coarse hemp cloth
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #17868, Very Hard
褐
hè
Taiwan pr. [he2]
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #17868, Very Hard
hè(he4) T4
1coarse wool; dull, brown
2gray or dark color
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March 24, 2026
褐hè(he4)
The character 褐 (hè) primarily refers to a dull or dark brown color and can also indicate coarse wool or rough fabrics made from hemp. It is commonly used in contexts relating to textiles and colors, particularly in describing earthy tones or materials.
Strokes14Radical衤Frequency#17868DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, colors often have symbolic meanings, and 褐 is associated with natural, earthy tones that reflect harmony with nature. This color is commonly found in traditional clothing and art, emphasizing simplicity and rusticity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rough, brown wool sweater that looks a bit dull and worn. The character 褐 looks like a person wearing a heavy coat (the radical '衣' for clothing) made from coarse wool, emphasizing its texture and color.
Meanings of 褐
hè(he4)
1coarse wool; dull, brown
2gray or dark color
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 褐
褐Simplified
14Strokes
衤Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 褐
Podcast: 褐
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AI Study Notes for 褐
Quick Contrast
褐 (dark brown) vs 棕 (brown) — use 褐 for darker, earthier tones.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 褐 (hè) with similar colors like 棕 (zōng), which means 'brown' but in a richer sense. This character is used more in informal contexts, particularly in discussing fabrics or colors rather than in formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
While 褐 is not part of HSK, understanding this word can enhance your vocabulary related to colors and materials. Focus on its usage in describing textiles, as it can help you connect with words like 颜色 (yánsè, 'color') and 布料 (bùliào, 'fabric').
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 褐 (hè) with other color words like 棕 (zōng) or 黑 (hēi). For example, saying '我喜欢褐色的天空' (I like brown sky) instead of '我喜欢蓝色的天空' (I like blue sky) is incorrect; the sky is typically not described with this color.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 褐
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Phonosemantic compound. 衤 represents the meaning and 曷 represents the sound.
1The meaning half衤 carries the sense.
2The sound half曷 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaycloth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 褐? 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 褐?
Decomposition of 褐
IDS Structure⿰衤曷
褐Full Character
=
衤yi1
left
曷he2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 褐?
How to say coarse wool; dull, brown in Chinese
“coarse wool; dull, brown” in Chinese is褐hè
The character 褐 (hè) primarily refers to a dull or dark brown color and can also indicate coarse wool or rough fabrics made from hemp. It is commonly used in contexts relating to textiles and colors, particularly in describing earthy tones or materials.
When to use 褐
Be careful not to confuse 褐 (hè) with similar colors like 棕 (zōng), which means 'brown' but in a richer sense. This character is used more in informal contexts, particularly in discussing fabrics or colors rather than in formal writing.
褐 or something close to it
褐 (dark brown) vs 棕 (brown) — use 褐 for darker, earthier tones.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 褐 (hè) with other color words like 棕 (zōng) or 黑 (hēi). For example, saying '我喜欢褐色的天空' (I like brown sky) instead of '我喜欢蓝色的天空' (I like blue sky) is incorrect; the sky is typically not described with this color.
Write 褐
褐
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Practice writing 褐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 褐
褐 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 4 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
崖沙燕是一种____羽白腹的鸟。
The sand martin is a brown bird with white underneath.
Example Sentences for 褐 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
崖沙燕是一种褐羽白腹的鸟。
yá shā yàn shì yī zhǒng hè yǔ bái fù de niǎo。
The sand martin is a brown bird with white underneath.
2
她有一双褐色的大眼睛，睫毛特别长。
tā yǒu yī shuāng hè sè de dà yǎn jīng， ， jié máo tè bié。
Her eyes were large and brown and fringed with incredibly long lashes.
3
那里的走廊从地面到齐肩高的部分都漆成棕褐色。
nà lǐ de zǒu láng cóng dì miàn dào qí jiān gāo de bù fēn dū qī chéng zōng hè sè。
The corridors there were painted chocolate-brown to shoulder height.
4
蓝衣服和 红褐色 短袜! 他又搞错了.
lán yī fú hé hóng hè sè! duǎn wà ! tā yòu.
Blue suit and reddish - brown socks! He had fouled up again.
