HSK 4, n, 10 strokes, radical 攵, rank #8450, Medium
效
xiào
result, effect; effective
HSK 4, n, 10 strokes, radical 攵, rank #8450, Medium
xiào(xiao4)xiao T4
1to imitate
2result, effect; effective
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March 24, 2026
效(俲)xiào(xiao4)
The character 效 (xiào) primarily means 'to imitate' or 'to have an effect.' It is commonly used in contexts relating to effectiveness, results, and mimicking behaviors or methods. The character can also refer to the result of an action or the efficacy of something.
Strokes10Radical攵Frequency#8450DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of imitation holds significant value, especially in traditional arts like calligraphy and music, where students learn by copying masters. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for learning through emulation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a magician (the radical for 'effect' is like a wand) casting a spell to imitate a famous trick. The sound 'xiào' can remind you of 'show' as in a performance, where imitation plays a key role.
Meanings of 效
xiào(xiao4)
1to imitate
2result, effect; effective
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 效
效Simplified
俲Traditional
10Strokes
攵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8450Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 效
Podcast: 效
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AI Study Notes for 效
Quick Contrast
效 (xiào) vs 影响 (yǐngxiǎng) — use 效 when emphasizing the result or effectiveness of an action, while 影响 focuses on the influence or impact something has.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 效 (xiào) with similar-sounding characters, as they may have different meanings. This word is used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases like 效果 (xiàoguǒ - effect) and 效率 (xiàolü - efficiency). Pay attention to tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
While 效 is not included in standard HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above, especially when studying words related to effectiveness and results. Focus on its usage in common phrases to build vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 效 (xiào) with similar characters like 效能 (xiàonéng - capability) and mispronounce it as xiao instead of xiào. Ensure you practice the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 效
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Learning Lab
Knowing 效 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.
效 = 攵 + 交. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 效
IDS Structure⿰交攵
效Full Character
=
交jiao1
left
攵pu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 效?
How to say to imitate in Chinese
“to imitate” in Chinese is效xiào
The character 效 (xiào) primarily means 'to imitate' or 'to have an effect.' It is commonly used in contexts relating to effectiveness, results, and mimicking behaviors or methods. The character can also refer to the result of an action or the efficacy of something.
When to use 效
Be careful not to confuse 效 (xiào) with similar-sounding characters, as they may have different meanings. This word is used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases like 效果 (xiàoguǒ - effect) and 效率 (xiàolü - efficiency). Pay attention to tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.
效 or something close to it
效 (xiào) vs 影响 (yǐngxiǎng) — use 效 when emphasizing the result or effectiveness of an action, while 影响 focuses on the influence or impact something has.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 效 (xiào) with similar characters like 效能 (xiàonéng - capability) and mispronounce it as xiao instead of xiào. Ensure you practice the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
Write 效
效
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Grammar Patterns of 效
效 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 2 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.
Filmmaking was transformed by digital editing, digital f/x, and digicams.
10
我认为他为英格兰队效力时不可能充分发挥自己的水平。
wǒ rèn wéi tā wéi yīng gé lán duì xiào lì shí bù kě néng chōng fēn fā huī zì jǐ de shuǐ píng。
I don't think he could do himself justice playing for England.
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Cultural Notes for 效
💡Did you know?
The character '效' is often associated with concepts of imitation and results in Chinese culture, highlighting the importance of learning through imitation in traditional education.
Word Family of 效
Compounds1
傚xiao4to mimic, to imitate
Words Containing This Character20
效果xiàoguǒresult
有效yǒuxiàoeffective
效劳to work for效勞
无效wúxiàonot valid無效
效率xiàolǜefficiency
效应xiàoyìngeffect (scientific phenomenon)效應
效xiàoeffect
效益xiàoyìbenefit
疗效liáoxiàohealing efficacy療效
生效shēngxiàoto take effect
失效shīxiàoto fail
奏效zòuxiàoeffective
高效gāoxiàoefficient
成效chéngxiàoeffect
效力xiàolìeffectiveness
效忠to vow loyalty and devotion to
功效gōngxiàoefficacy
特效special effect
绩效performance績效
音效sound effect
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 效
What does 傚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 效
效 (xiào) and 傚 (xiào) are variants of each other, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 效 is more commonly used in modern Chinese, while 傚 is an older variant. Both convey the idea of imitation or effect.
Use 效 (xiào) when you want to emphasize imitation or the idea of something having an effect. If you're discussing actions or behaviors that are modeled after someone else, 效 is the ideal choice. For example, in a context where you're comparing results, 效 would be more appropriate than other synonyms.
效 (xiào) can mean to imitate or to have an effect. It is often used in contexts where one thing is modeled after another, such as in learning or behavior. The character also has variants like 傚, which can also convey similar meanings.
To use 效 (xiào) in a sentence, you can say something like '他效仿老师的教学方法' which means 'He imitates the teacher's teaching methods.' This shows how the character can denote imitation in practice.
You can say 效果很好 (xiàoguǒ hěn hǎo), meaning 'the effect is very good.'
Common phrases include 效率 (xiàolü - efficiency) and 效果 (xiàoguǒ - effect).
Yes, 效 is often used in both formal and academic writing to discuss results and effectiveness.
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