Meanings of 賀
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About 賀
Podcast: 賀
Podcast: 賀
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AI Study Notes for 賀
贺 (hè) vs 祝 (zhù) — use 賀 (hè) for formal congratulations, while 祝 (zhù) is more general and can express wishes beyond celebrations.
This character is often used in formal situations, such as during holidays or significant life events. Be cautious of its tone; it is pronounced with a fourth tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include 賀卡 (greeting card) and 賀年 (New Year's greetings).
Even though 賀 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects with HSK Level 3 terms related to celebrations and greetings. Students should focus on recognizing it in contexts such as congratulatory phrases and practice using it in sentences when discussing festivities.
Learners often confuse 賀 with 祝, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我祝你生日快乐' (I祝 you a happy birthday) is correct, but using 賀 here can sound overly formal or awkward. Remember to use 賀 in contexts where gifts or formal congratulations are involved.
Pronunciation of 賀
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Etymology of 賀
Simplified form of 賀. Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 加 represents the sound.
To add 加 to someone else's fortune 貝
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 賀
Simplified form of 賀. Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 加 represents the sound.
- 1The giveawayTo add 加 to someone else's fortune 貝
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 賀? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 賀
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How to say to congratulate; to send a present in Chinese
“to congratulate; to send a present” in Chinese is賀
The character 賀 (hè) means to congratulate someone or to extend good wishes, often in the context of celebrations such as weddings or birthdays. It can also imply sending gifts as a form of congratulation, making it relevant in both personal and formal contexts.
When to use 賀
This character is often used in formal situations, such as during holidays or significant life events. Be cautious of its tone; it is pronounced with a fourth tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include 賀卡 (greeting card) and 賀年 (New Year's greetings).
賀 or something close to it
贺 (hè) vs 祝 (zhù) — use 賀 (hè) for formal congratulations, while 祝 (zhù) is more general and can express wishes beyond celebrations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 賀 with 祝, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我祝你生日快乐' (I祝 you a happy birthday) is correct, but using 賀 here can sound overly formal or awkward. Remember to use 賀 in contexts where gifts or formal congratulations are involved.
Write 賀
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Practice writing 賀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 賀
Compound Meaning
What does 祝贺 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 賀
Use 賀 specifically for formal occasions or when sending gifts, while 祝贺 (zhùhè) is more commonly used in everyday conversations.
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