Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
踝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
huáianklen, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #19336, Hard
huái(huai2) T2
  1. 1ankle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

huái(huai2)

The character 踝 (huái) specifically refers to the ankle, the joint connecting the foot to the leg. It is commonly used in medical or anatomical contexts, often when discussing injuries or conditions related to the ankle. In casual conversation, it may also come up in discussions about sports or physical activity.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#19336DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the ankle is often linked to overall mobility and balance, reflecting the importance of physical activity in Chinese culture. Ankle injuries are common in martial arts, which highlights the need for strong and healthy ankles.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'high' (huái sounds like 'high') jump at the 'ankle' level, where you need to be careful not to twist your ankle while jumping. Picture someone jumping high and landing awkwardly, causing an injury to their ankle, which helps you remember both the sound and the meaning.

Meanings of 踝

huái(huai2)
1ankle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 踝

Simplified
15Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 踝

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 踝

Quick Contrast

踝 (ankle) vs 脚 (foot) — use 踝 when specifically referring to the ankle joint, while 脚 refers to the entire foot.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'high' (huái sounds like 'high') jump at the 'ankle' level, where you need to be careful not to twist your ankle while jumping. Picture someone jumping high and landing awkwardly, causing an injury to their ankle, which helps you remember both the sound and the meaning.

Usage Notes

When using 踝, it's important to pair it with other terms for clarity, such as 踝关节 (ankle joint). Learners often confuse it with 脚 (foot), so ensure you differentiate between the two. The character is neutral in tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 踝 is not part of the standard HSK levels, it is practical for learners focused on health or sports-related vocabulary. Students should also familiarize themselves with related terms like 脚 (foot) and 腿 (leg) to build a more comprehensive understanding of lower limb anatomy.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the ankle is often linked to overall mobility and balance, reflecting the importance of physical activity in Chinese culture. Ankle injuries are common in martial arts, which highlights the need for strong and healthy ankles.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly write 踝 with the wrong radicals, confusing it with 脚 (foot). Ensure to remember the unique components that differentiate it, particularly the radical 足 (foot) that indicates its meaning relates to the lower limb.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 踝

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 踝

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 果 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

foot

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 踝?

Decomposition of 踝

IDS Structure⿰足果
Full Character
=
ju4
left
guo3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 踝?

Write 踝

Practice writing 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 踝

踝 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

他因摔倒而严重扭伤了脚____。

He had wrenched his ankle badly from the force of the fall.

Example Sentences for 踝 (7)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他因摔倒而严重扭伤了脚踝。

tā yīn shuāi dǎo ér yán zhòng niǔ shāng le jiǎo huái。

He had wrenched his ankle badly from the force of the fall.
2
加文·黑斯廷斯脚踝受伤,被扶下了场。

jiā wén· · hēi sī tíng sī jiǎo huái shòu, shāng , bèi fú xià。

Gavin Hastings was helped from the field with ankle injuries.
3
踝节部肿得很厉害.

huái jié bù zhǒng dé hěn lì hài.

The ankle was badly swollen.
4
不一会儿,乔治的脚踝就开始一阵阵地疼。

bù yī huì ér, , qiáo zhì de jiǎo huái jiù kāi shǐ yī zhèn zhèn dì。

Presently George's ankle began to throb with pain.
5
舒什广场周围的泥水深及脚踝。

shū shí guǎng cháng zhōu wéi de ní shuǐ shēn jí jiǎo huái。

The mud is ankle deep around Shush Square.
6
注意用于稳定踝部的臂夹板.

zhù yì yòng yú wěn dìng huái bù de bì jiā bǎn.

Note the armboard used to stabilize ankle.
7
我笨拙地跌在地上,扭伤了脚踝.

wǒ bèn zhuō dì diē zài dì shàng, , niǔ shāng le jiǎo.

I landed awkwardly and twisted my ankle.

Cultural Notes for 踝

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the ankle is often linked to overall mobility and balance, reflecting the importance of physical activity in Chinese culture. Ankle injuries are common in martial arts, which highlights the need for strong and healthy ankles.

Word Family of 踝

Words Containing This Character5
脚踝ankle腳踝
huáiankle
外踝lateral malleolus
内踝medial malleolus內踝
踝骨ankle
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 脚踝 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 踝

It is pronounced as 'huái', with a rising tone.