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March 24, 2026
叫jiào(jiao4)
The character 叫 (jiào) is a versatile verb in Mandarin that primarily means 'to shout' or 'to call.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as calling someone’s name or ordering food, and can also indicate being called something in a passive sense.
Strokes5Radical口Frequency#127DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, names hold significant importance, and how you are called can reflect your identity and social relations. The use of 叫 in introducing oneself is a common practice in both casual and formal settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person shouting across a crowded street, trying to get someone's attention. The character 叫 looks like a person (the top part) calling out to a group (the bottom part), which helps you remember the meaning 'to call' and its pronunciation 'jiào.'
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AI Study Notes for 叫
Quick Contrast
叫 (jiào) vs 告诉 (gàosù) — use 叫 when referring to calling someone's name or summoning, while 告诉 is for conveying information.
Usage Notes
Be cautious as 叫 can be informal and context-dependent. It is often used in everyday conversation, but in formal situations, other verbs like '称呼' (chēnghū) may be more appropriate. A common mistake is confusing 叫 with 喊 (hǎn), which specifically means 'to shout loudly.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 叫 connects to other basic verbs like 吃 (chī, to eat) and 喝 (hē, to drink). Focus on using it in simple sentences, such as '我叫...' (Wǒ jiào..., 'I am called...') to practice your speaking skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 叫 with 说 (shuō, to speak), using them interchangeably in sentences like '我叫他说...' (Wǒ jiào tā shuō..., which would incorrectly mean 'I call him to speak...'). The correct phrase should be '我叫他...' (Wǒ jiào tā..., meaning 'I call him...').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 叫
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How Well Do You Know 叫?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 叫 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
叫 = 口 + 丩. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 叫
IDS Structure⿰口丩
叫Full Character
=
口kou3
left
丩jiu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 叫?
How to say to shout in Chinese
“to shout” in Chinese is叫jiào
The character 叫 (jiào) is a versatile verb in Mandarin that primarily means 'to shout' or 'to call.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as calling someone’s name or ordering food, and can also indicate being called something in a passive sense.
When to use 叫
Be cautious as 叫 can be informal and context-dependent. It is often used in everyday conversation, but in formal situations, other verbs like '称呼' (chēnghū) may be more appropriate. A common mistake is confusing 叫 with 喊 (hǎn), which specifically means 'to shout loudly.'
叫 or something close to it
叫 (jiào) vs 告诉 (gàosù) — use 叫 when referring to calling someone's name or summoning, while 告诉 is for conveying information.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 叫 with 说 (shuō, to speak), using them interchangeably in sentences like '我叫他说...' (Wǒ jiào tā shuō..., which would incorrectly mean 'I call him to speak...'). The correct phrase should be '我叫他...' (Wǒ jiào tā..., meaning 'I call him...').
Write 叫
叫
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Grammar Patterns of 叫
叫 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
