HSK 1, nr, 10 strokes, radical 夊, rank #5082, Medium
夏
xià
Xia of the Sixteen Kingdoms (407-432)
HSK 1, nr, 10 strokes, radical 夊, rank #5082, Medium
夏
xià
surname Xia
HSK 1, nr, 10 strokes, radical 夊, rank #5082, Medium
夏
xià
summer
HSK 1, nr, 10 strokes, radical 夊, rank #5082, Medium
夏
xià
summer; the Xia or Hsia dynasty
HSK 1, nr, 10 strokes, radical 夊, rank #5082, Medium
xià(Xia4) T4
1the Xia or Hsia dynasty c. 2000 BC
2Xia of the Sixteen Kingdoms (407-432)
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March 24, 2026
夏xià(Xia4)
The character 夏 (xià) primarily means 'summer' and can also refer to the Xia dynasty, one of China's earliest dynasties. In addition, it serves as a common Chinese surname. This character is often used in contexts relating to the seasons, particularly in discussions about climate, festivals, and agriculture.
Strokes10Radical夊Frequency#5082DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, summer is associated with various festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔjié), which typically occurs in the summer months. This season is also linked to agriculture, as it is a critical time for crops to grow.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant sun (the radical for summer) shining down during the hottest part of the year, casting long shadows and making everything green and vibrant. The pronunciation 'xià' sounds like 'shah', which you can picture as someone joyfully shouting 'shah!' in the summer sun while enjoying a refreshing drink.
Meanings of 夏
xià(Xia4)
1the Xia or Hsia dynasty c. 2000 BC
2Xia of the Sixteen Kingdoms (407-432)
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About 夏
夏Simplified
10Strokes
夊Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#5082Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L1TOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 夏
Podcast: 夏
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AI Study Notes for 夏
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant sun (the radical for summer) shining down during the hottest part of the year, casting long shadows and making everything green and vibrant. The pronunciation 'xià' sounds like 'shah', which you can picture as someone joyfully shouting 'shah!' in the summer sun while enjoying a refreshing drink.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 夏 (xià) with 霞 (xiá), which means 'rosy clouds' at sunset. It is mainly used in informal contexts when talking about seasons and weather. Common collocations include 夏天 (xiàtiān, 'summer') and 夏季 (xiàjì, 'summer season').
HSK Study Tips
As HSK Level 3, students should focus on using 夏 in sentences about weather and seasons. It connects well with other vocabulary related to time and nature, such as 春 (chūn, 'spring') and 秋 (qiū, 'autumn'). Practice using it in simple conversations about seasonal activities.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, summer is associated with various festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔjié), which typically occurs in the summer months. This season is also linked to agriculture, as it is a critical time for crops to grow.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 夏 (xià) with the similar-sounding characters like 霞 (xiá) or 厦 (xià). For example, saying '我喜欢霞天' (wǒ xǐhuān xiátiān) instead of '我喜欢夏天' (wǒ xǐhuān xiàtiān), which means 'I like summer'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 夏
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Pictograph of a person, represented by their head (頁) and feet (夂), being heated underneath the sun (日). The sun component was later omitted for brevity during the Warring States period.
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Practice writing 夏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 夏
夏 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). It carries 5 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.
Mr Sharma lit incense and chanted Sanskrit mantras.
Cultural Notes for 夏
💡Did you know?
In China, summer (夏) is associated with warmth, energy, and growth. It's a popular time for festivals and outdoor activities, including the Dragon Boat Festival, which celebrates the summer solstice.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, summer is associated with various festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔjié), which typically occurs in the summer months. This season is also linked to agriculture, as it is a critical time for crops to grow.
📜Proverb
The saying '无风不起浪' (wú fēng bù qǐ làng) translates to 'No wind, no waves.' It emphasizes that events in summer often arise from prior causes, reflecting the dynamism of the season.
Word Family of 夏
Compounds4
厦sha4abbr. for Xiamen or Amoy 廈門
嗄a2hoarse
榎
廈sha4large building; mansion
Words Containing This Character20
夏天xiàtiānsummer
夏xiàsummer
夏威夷Hawaii, US state
夏季xiàjìsummer
夏日summertime
华夏Cathay華夏
夏洛特Charlotte (name)
夏令营xiàlìngyíngsummer camp夏令營
宁夏Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, abbr. 寧|宁[Níng], capital Yinchuan 銀川|银川[Yínchuān]寧夏
夏普Sharp Corporation
夏利Xiali, car brand by Tianjin FAW Xiali Motor Company
夏娃Eve (in Protestant versions of the Bible) (from Hebrew Ḥawwāh, probably via Cantonese 夏娃 {Haa6waa1})
盛夏midsummer
夏洛克Sherlock (name)
西夏Western Xia dynasty 1038-1227 of Tangut people 黨項|党项 occupying modern Ningxia and parts of Gansu and Shaanxi, overthrown by Mongols
初夏early summer
春夏秋冬the four seasons
仲夏midsummer
华夏银行Huaxia Bank華夏銀行
夏河Xiahe county in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘南藏族自治州[GānnánZàngzúzìzhìzhōu], Gansu, formerly Amdo province of Tibet
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 厦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 夏
Common phrases that include 夏 (Xià) are '夏天' (Xiàtiān) meaning 'summer,' and '夏季' (Xiàjì), which also means 'summer season.' These phrases are useful for talking about weather and seasons in Chinese. Familiarizing yourself with these phrases can help you in everyday conversations.
The 夏 (Xià) dynasty is significant as it is often regarded as the first dynasty in traditional Chinese history, dating back to around 2000 BC. It is important for understanding the early forms of governance and culture in ancient China. Learning about the Xia dynasty can provide valuable context for studying Chinese history.
夏 (Xià) primarily means 'summer' in Chinese. It can also refer to the ancient Xia dynasty, which is believed to have existed around 2000 BC. Additionally, it serves as a common surname in China. Understanding the context will help you grasp its various meanings.
You can use 夏 (Xià) in sentences to indicate the summer season, like '夏天很热' (Xiàtiān hěn rè), which means 'Summer is very hot.' It can also be used in historical contexts, such as discussing the Xia dynasty. Knowing how to incorporate it in different contexts will enhance your Chinese fluency.
夏 means 'summer' in English, and it can also refer to the Xia dynasty.
It is pronounced as 'xià', with a falling tone.
Yes, but it is more commonly used in informal contexts, especially when discussing seasons.
