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挥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
挥
huī
to wave
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
挥
huī
to brandish
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
挥
huī
to command
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
挥
huī
to conduct
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
挥
huī
to scatter
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
挥
huī
to disperse
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
挥
huī
to direct; to squander; to wave; to wipe away
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4025, Hard
huī(hui1)hui T1
1to wave
2to brandish
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March 24, 2026
挥(揮)huī(hui1)
The verb 挥 (huī) primarily means 'to wave' or 'to brandish,' often referring to the motion of moving something back and forth. It can also imply conducting an action or directing something, such as a command or a gesture. In various contexts, it can also connote the idea of scattering or dispersing something, such as waving away smoke or scattering seeds.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#4025DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of waving or gesturing can signify respect or invitation, particularly in tea ceremonies or martial arts, where the motion conveys both skill and respect towards others.
Memory tip
Imagine a magician (挥) who waves their wand in the air, commanding attention. The character has a hand radical (扌), signifying action and movement, and the sound 'huī' could be remembered as the sound of a wand swishing through the air.
Meanings of 挥
huī(hui1)
1to wave
2to brandish
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 挥
挥Simplified
揮Traditional
9Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4025Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 挥
Podcast: 挥
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AI study notes for 挥
Quick Contrast
挥 (huī) vs 摆 (bǎi) — choose 挥 when emphasizing a waving motion or action, while 摆 focuses more on positioning or arranging.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 挥 with similar verbs like 拍 (pāi, to clap) or 打 (dǎ, to hit), which refer to different kinds of movement. While 挥 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is often used in commands or instructions. Be mindful of the tone; using the incorrect tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, focusing on the various contexts in which 挥 can be used will help learners understand its nuances. It connects with other action verbs, so practicing with related words can enhance comprehension. Pay attention to sentence structures that involve commands or gestures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 挥 with the character 挥 (huī) meaning 'to wave' with the character 拍 (pāi) meaning 'to clap.' For example, saying '我挥手拍' instead of '我挥手' (I wave my hand) is incorrect; the correct usage is simply '我挥手.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挥
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The verb 挥 (huī) primarily means 'to wave' or 'to brandish,' often referring to the motion of moving something back and forth. It can also imply conducting an action or directing something, such as a command or a gesture. In various contexts, it can also connote the idea of scattering or dispersing something, such as waving away smoke or scattering seeds.
When to use 挥
A common mistake is to confuse 挥 with similar verbs like 拍 (pāi, to clap) or 打 (dǎ, to hit), which refer to different kinds of movement. While 挥 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is often used in commands or instructions. Be mindful of the tone; using the incorrect tone can change the meaning entirely.
挥 or something close to it
挥 (huī) vs 摆 (bǎi) — choose 挥 when emphasizing a waving motion or action, while 摆 focuses more on positioning or arranging.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 挥 with the character 挥 (huī) meaning 'to wave' with the character 拍 (pāi) meaning 'to clap.' For example, saying '我挥手拍' instead of '我挥手' (I wave my hand) is incorrect; the correct usage is simply '我挥手.'
Write 挥
挥
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Grammar patterns of 挥
挥 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.
The athlete waved to the audience after the competition ended.
12
小女孩看到她的朋友，高兴地挥手打招呼。
Xiǎo nǚhái kàndào tā de péngyǒu, gāoxìng de huīshǒu dǎzhāohū.
The little girl saw her friend and waved happily to greet her.
13
他挥舞着旗帜，为自己的球队加油。
Tā huīwǔ zhe qízhì, wèi zìjǐ de qiúduì jiāyóu.
He waved the flag to cheer for his team.
14
在站台上，她不断挥手告别远去的火车。
Zài zhàntái shàng, tā bùduàn huīshǒu gàobié yuǎnqù de huǒchē.
On the platform, she kept waving goodbye to the departing train.
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Word Family of 挥
Words containing this character18
发挥fāhuīto display發揮
指挥zhǐhuīto conduct指揮
挥huīto wave揮
指挥官zhǐhuīguāncommander指揮官
挥手huīshǒuto wave (one's hand)揮手
挥舞huīwǔto brandish揮舞
挥霍huīhuòextravagant揮霍
挥动huīdòngto wave sth揮動
挥发huīfāvolatile揮發
挥洒huīsǎto sprinkle揮灑
指挥家zhǐhuījiāconductor (music)指揮家
挥发性huīfāxìngvolatility揮發性
指挥棒zhǐhuībàngbaton指揮棒
挥泪huīlèito shed tears揮淚
挥汗如雨huīhànrúyǔto drip with sweat揮汗如雨
挥金如土huījīnrútǔextravagant揮金如土
挥毫huīháoto write揮毫
借题发挥jiètífāhuīto use sth as a pretext to make a fuss借題發揮
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 挥
What does 发挥 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 挥
Common phrases that include 挥 are '挥手' (huī shǒu), meaning 'to wave one's hand,' and '挥发' (huīfā), meaning 'to evaporate.' These phrases illustrate the versatility of the character in expressing different actions.
挥 is pronounced as 'huī' in Mandarin. It has a rising tone, which is important for correct pronunciation and meaning in Chinese.
挥 (huī) means 'to wave' or 'to brandish.' It can also refer to conducting or commanding something, as well as scattering or dispersing. This character is commonly used in various contexts.
You can use 挥 in a sentence to describe the action of waving or brandishing something. For example, '他挥手告别' (tā huī shǒu gàobié) means 'he waved goodbye.' It's also used in contexts like '挥霍' (huīhuò), which means to squander.
You can say '挥手告别' (huī shǒu gàobié), meaning 'to wave goodbye.'
Yes, it can also mean 'to brandish' or 'to conduct,' depending on the context.
Yes, 挥 emphasizes a more dynamic or forceful motion, while 摆 usually refers to a more casual or decorative gesture.
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