Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
骜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
àowild horse, mustang; wild, freeg, 13 strokes, radical 马, Very Hard
àoa noble steedunknown, 13 strokes, radical 马, Very Hard
àountamedunknown, 13 strokes, radical 马, Very Hard
ào(ao4) T4
  1. 1wild horse, mustang; wild, free
  2. 2a noble steed
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(驁)ào(ao4)

The character 骜 (ào) refers to a wild horse or mustang, often symbolizing freedom and untamed spirit. It conveys qualities of nobility and vigor, frequently used in literary contexts to describe a strong, free-spirited animal or person. This character embodies the essence of wildness and independence in Chinese culture.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese literature, wild horses are often seen as symbols of freedom and strength, reflecting the values of self-reliance and bravery. The character 骜 may also evoke historical connections to nomadic cultures in China where horses played a vital role in daily life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wild horse galloping freely across a vast landscape, representing the untamed spirit of nature. The character 骜 resembles a horse (马) running wild, with the 'ao' sound echoing the sound of hooves pounding on the ground, emphasizing its wild nature.

Meanings of 骜

ào(ao4)
1wild horse, mustang; wild, free
2a noble steed
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 骜

Simplified
Traditional
13Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 骜

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 骜

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a wild horse galloping freely across a vast landscape, representing the untamed spirit of nature. The character 骜 resembles a horse (马) running wild, with the 'ao' sound echoing the sound of hooves pounding on the ground, emphasizing its wild nature.

Usage Notes

The character 骜 is primarily used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other characters. It often appears in phrases about freedom and nobility, such as 骜马 (wild horse).

HSK Study Tips

Although 骜 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it shares thematic connections with words related to animals and freedom found in lower HSK levels. Students should focus on understanding its context in poetry and literature, particularly in conjunction with other animal-related characters.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese literature, wild horses are often seen as symbols of freedom and strength, reflecting the values of self-reliance and bravery. The character 骜 may also evoke historical connections to nomadic cultures in China where horses played a vital role in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 骜 with other horse-related characters like 马 (mǎ) due to similar meanings. Remember that 骜 specifically refers to wild horses, whereas 马 is the general term for horse.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 骜

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 骜

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

A rambling 敖 horse 马; 敖 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 骜?

Decomposition of 骜

IDS Structure⿱敖马
Full Character
=
Ao2
top
Ma3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 骜?

Write 骜

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

Cultural Notes for 骜

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese literature, wild horses are often seen as symbols of freedom and strength, reflecting the values of self-reliance and bravery. The character 骜 may also evoke historical connections to nomadic cultures in China where horses played a vital role in daily life.

Word Family of 骜

Words Containing This Character2
桀骜不驯unyielding桀驁不馴
àoTaiwan pr. [áo]
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 桀骜不驯 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 骜

In modern usage, 骜 still retains its meaning related to wild horses, but it is primarily found in literary texts.