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March 24, 2026
夸(誇)kuā(kua1)
The character 夸 (kuā) primarily means to boast or exaggerate, often in the context of praising someone or something excessively. It can also imply a sense of luxury or handsomeness, especially when referring to something visually appealing. This word is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts to express admiration or to highlight an exaggerated quality.
Strokes6Radical大Frequency#6570DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, boasting or exaggerating can be viewed with skepticism, as humility is often valued. The phrase 夸夸其谈 (kuā kuā qí tán) describes someone who talks extravagantly without much substance, reflecting a cultural preference for modesty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a peacock flaunting its extravagant feathers, which symbolizes boasting. The character 夸 has a 'mouth' (口) at the bottom, suggesting that it is about what one says, while the upper part can be imagined as someone showing off their feathers. Think of ‘kuā’ as ‘quack,’ like a duck boasting about its beauty.
Meanings of 夸
kuā(kua1)
1to boast
2to exaggerate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 夸
夸Simplified
誇Traditional
6Strokes
大Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6570Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 夸
Podcast: 夸
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AI Study Notes for 夸
Quick Contrast
夸 (kuā) vs 赞 (zàn) — use 夸 when emphasizing exaggeration or boasting, while 赞 is more about giving genuine praise without the implication of exaggeration.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 夸, as it can carry a negative connotation of exaggeration if used inappropriately. It is often used in informal speech, but can also be found in writing when describing someone’s behavior. Common collocations include 夸奖 (kuā jiǎng, to praise) and 夸大 (kuā dà, to exaggerate).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 夸 connects with other words related to evaluation and description, such as 评价 (píngjià, to evaluate) and 赞美 (zànměi, to admire). Focus on using 夸 in sentences that involve opinions and feelings, as it enhances your ability to express admiration or critique.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 夸 with 夸奖, thinking they are interchangeable. However, 夸 means to boast or exaggerate, while 夸奖 specifically means to praise. For example, saying 他夸奖了很多 (Tā kuājiǎng le hěn duō) is correct, but saying 他夸了很多 (Tā kuā le hěn duō) could imply he boasted a lot, which might not convey the intended praise.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 夸
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2The sound half亏 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaygreat
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 夸? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 夸?
Decomposition of 夸
IDS Structure⿱大亏
夸Full Character
=
大da4
top
亏kui1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 夸?
How to say to boast in Chinese
“to boast” in Chinese is夸kuā
The character 夸 (kuā) primarily means to boast or exaggerate, often in the context of praising someone or something excessively. It can also imply a sense of luxury or handsomeness, especially when referring to something visually appealing. This word is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts to express admiration or to highlight an exaggerated quality.
When to use 夸
Be mindful of the context in which you use 夸, as it can carry a negative connotation of exaggeration if used inappropriately. It is often used in informal speech, but can also be found in writing when describing someone’s behavior. Common collocations include 夸奖 (kuā jiǎng, to praise) and 夸大 (kuā dà, to exaggerate).
夸 or something close to it
夸 (kuā) vs 赞 (zàn) — use 夸 when emphasizing exaggeration or boasting, while 赞 is more about giving genuine praise without the implication of exaggeration.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 夸 with 夸奖, thinking they are interchangeable. However, 夸 means to boast or exaggerate, while 夸奖 specifically means to praise. For example, saying 他夸奖了很多 (Tā kuājiǎng le hěn duō) is correct, but saying 他夸了很多 (Tā kuā le hěn duō) could imply he boasted a lot, which might not convey the intended praise.
Write 夸
夸
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Grammar Patterns of 夸
夸 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 4 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.
