Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
骄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jiāoprouda, 9 strokes, radical 马, rank #31042, Very Hard
jiāoarroganta, 9 strokes, radical 马, rank #31042, Very Hard
jiāohaughty, spirited; a wild stalliona, 9 strokes, radical 马, rank #31042, Very Hard
jiāo(jiao1) T1
  1. 1proud
  2. 2arrogant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(驕)jiāo(jiao1)

The character 骄 (jiāo) refers to a sense of pride or arrogance. It is often used to describe someone who is overly self-satisfied or haughty, but it can also convey a spirited or lively demeanor. In certain contexts, it may describe a wild stallion, evoking a sense of untamed vigor.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#31042DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being proud can sometimes be viewed negatively, as humility is often valued. The concept of '骄傲' (pride) can relate to the idea of '面子' (miànzi - face), where maintaining dignity is crucial in social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a proud stallion standing tall on a mountain peak, its mane flowing like a flag. The radical 骨 (bone) suggests strength and durability, while the character’s shape resembles a proud figure. Think of 'jiāo' as 'jowls' puffed out in pride, which sounds similar to its pronunciation.

Meanings of 骄

jiāo(jiao1)
1proud
2arrogant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 骄

Simplified
Traditional
9Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#31042Frequency Rank

Podcast: 骄

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 骄

Quick Contrast

骄 (jiāo) vs 傲 (ào) — choose 骄 when emphasizing a spirited demeanor, while 傲 focuses more on arrogance.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a proud stallion standing tall on a mountain peak, its mane flowing like a flag. The radical 骨 (bone) suggests strength and durability, while the character’s shape resembles a proud figure. Think of 'jiāo' as 'jowls' puffed out in pride, which sounds similar to its pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of 骄, as it can come across as overly negative if used improperly. Common collocations include 骄傲 (jiāo'ào - proud) and 骄慢 (jiāomàn - arrogant). It is generally informal, so consider the context in which you use it.

HSK Study Tips

While 骄 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with other words conveying emotions or characteristics. Focus on its usage in phrases and with adjectives to enhance your vocabulary. Understanding its nuances will help in discussions about personality traits.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being proud can sometimes be viewed negatively, as humility is often valued. The concept of '骄傲' (pride) can relate to the idea of '面子' (miànzi - face), where maintaining dignity is crucial in social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 骄 with 自豪, using them interchangeably, which can lead to miscommunication. For example, saying '我很骄' (wǒ hěn jiāo) to mean 'I am proud' is incorrect; it should be '我很自豪' (wǒ hěn zìháo).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 骄

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 骄

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A proud 乔 horse 马; 乔 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 骄?

Decomposition of 骄

IDS Structure⿰马乔
Full Character
=
Ma3
left
Qiao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 骄?

Write 骄

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 骄

骄 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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 2

Complete the Sentence

即便你成就再大,也不能____傲。

Even if your achievements are great, you cannot be arrogant.

Common Confusions with 骄

vs
jiāo

Similar shape and sound, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "proud"?

or

Usage Notes for 骄

Avoid OveruseCommon Error

Using '骄' excessively can come off as inappropriate in formal settings.

1

他太骄了。

He is too proud.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他太____了。

He is too proud.

Example Sentences for 骄 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她能看出她的两个儿子充满了骄傲。

tā néng kàn chū tā de liǎng gè ér zǐ chōng mǎn le jiāo ào。

She could see her two sons swell with pride.
2
与众不同之处在于他的骄傲自大和满嘴脏话。

yǔ zhòng bù tóng zhī chǔ zài yú tā de jiāo ào zì dà hé mǎn zuǐ zāng huà。

The things that stuck out were his cockiness and his four-letter words.
3
我真为你骄傲,亲爱的!

wǒ zhēn wéi nǐ jiāo ào, , qīn ài!

I am so proud of you, my sweet!
4
夏日的骄阳照进了山谷.

xià rì de jiāo yáng zhào jìn le shān gǔ.

Summer pours scorching sunlight into the valleys.
5
有阵大风将会很快地到来.你的骄傲将会被吹的一丝不剩.

yǒu zhèn dà fēng jiāng huì hěn kuài dì dào lái. . nǐ de jiāo ào jiāng huì bèi chuī de yī sī bù.

There is a wind coming that will sweep away your pride.
6
骄傲的新娘骑在桥脊上对着云大声喊。

jiāo ào de xīn niáng qí zài qiáo jǐ shàng duì zháo yún dà shēng hǎn。

Riding on the ridge of the bridge, the proud bride shouts loudly to the cloud.
7
骄傲和泼悍使她进退两难,她再也无法掩饰了.

jiāo ào hé pō hàn shǐ tā jìn tuì liǎng nán, , tā zài yě wú fǎ yǎn shì.

The straIt'she was in through pride and shrewishness could not be disguised longer.
8
智慧恨恶骄傲、狂妄 、 恶道和乖翏的口.

zhì huì hèn è jiāo ào、 、 kuáng、 wàng 、 è dào hé guāi liù.

Wisdom hates pride and arrogance, evil be haviore and perverse speech.
9
她的迟钝, 尽管显而易见, 却不惹嫌,因为其中并不包含骄矜自负的成份.

tā de chí dùn, , jìn guǎn xiǎn ér yì, jiàn , què bù, rě xián , yīn wéi qí zhōng bìng bù bāo hán jiāo jīn zì fù.

Her folly, though evident, was not disgusting because it was not conceited.
10
她骄傲地注视着鞋上闪亮的扣环.

tā jiāo ào dì zhù shì zháo xié shàng shǎn liàng de kòu huán.

She gazed proudly at the shiny buckles on her shoes.

Cultural Notes for 骄

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, being proud can sometimes be viewed negatively, as humility is often valued. The concept of '骄傲' (pride) can relate to the idea of '面子' (miànzi - face), where maintaining dignity is crucial in social interactions.

Word Family of 骄

Words Containing This Character13
骄傲jiāo’àopride驕傲
jiāoproud
骄人impressive驕人
骄阳blazing sun驕陽
骄横arrogant驕橫
戒骄戒躁to guard against pride and impatience (idiom); to remain modest and keep cool戒驕戒躁
骄阳似火the sun shines fiercely驕陽似火
骄纵arrogant and willful驕縱
骄奢淫逸decadent驕奢淫逸
骄气arrogance驕氣
骄矜haughty驕矜
骄兵必败fig. pride goes before a fall驕兵必敗
骄奢淫佚decadent驕奢淫佚
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 骄傲 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 骄

Some synonyms for 骄 (jiāo) include 自豪 (zìháo), meaning 'proud,' and 傲慢 (àomàn), meaning 'arrogant.' Each synonym carries its own nuance, so it’s helpful to choose based on the specific context.