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滑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
滑huáto slipHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
滑huáto slideHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
滑huásmoothHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
滑huáslipperyHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
滑huácunningHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
滑huáto slip, to slide; slippery, polishedHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
滑huásurname HuaHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2062, Hard
huá(Hua2) T2
  1. 1to slip
  2. 2to slide
Also a Chinese surname, Hua — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

滑huá(Hua2)

The character 滑 (huá) primarily means 'to slip' or 'to slide', often used to describe smooth or slippery surfaces. It can also refer to someone who is cunning or slick in behavior. In everyday contexts, it may refer to physical actions, such as slipping on ice, or metaphorical ones, such as a slippery argument.

Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#2062DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

滑 (huá) is often associated with traditional Chinese ice activities, such as ice skating, which have cultural significance in regions with cold winters. The concept of being 'slippery' can also relate to historical figures known for their cunning strategies in Chinese literature.

Memory Tip

Imagine a smooth, shiny ice slide (滑) where children are gleefully sliding down. The character has the water radical 氵 on the left, suggesting fluidity, and the right part, 'huá', sounds like 'slide'. Picture the children slipping effortlessly down the slide, embodying the character’s meaning.

Meanings of 滑

huá(Hua2)
1to slip
2to slide
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 滑

滑Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2062Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 滑

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Podcast: 滑

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AI Study Notes for 滑

Quick Contrast

滑 (huá) vs 光滑 (guānghuá) — use 滑 for actions of slipping or sliding, while 光滑 describes a smooth surface without implying movement.

Usage Notes

滑 (huá) is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but care should be taken to use it accurately when describing people, as calling someone 'slippery' can imply dishonesty. Common collocations include 滑冰 (huábīng - ice skating) and 滑梯 (huátī - slide). Pay attention to tone; 'huá' should be pronounced in the second tone to avoid confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 滑 connects to other vocabulary related to movement and actions. Students should practice forming sentences that involve sliding or slipping, in both literal and figurative senses, to deepen understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 滑 (huá) with similar-sounding words like 花 (huā - flower) or 话 (huà - speech). For instance, saying 滑冰 (huá bīng) with the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 滑

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Etymology of 滑

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 骨 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)骨
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 滑

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 骨 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half骨 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 滑? 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 滑?

Decomposition of 滑

IDS Structure⿰氵骨
滑Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
骨gu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 滑?

How to say to slip in Chinese

“to slip” in Chinese is滑huá

The character 滑 (huá) primarily means 'to slip' or 'to slide', often used to describe smooth or slippery surfaces. It can also refer to someone who is cunning or slick in behavior. In everyday contexts, it may refer to physical actions, such as slipping on ice, or metaphorical ones, such as a slippery argument.

When to use 滑

滑 (huá) is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but care should be taken to use it accurately when describing people, as calling someone 'slippery' can imply dishonesty. Common collocations include 滑冰 (huábīng - ice skating) and 滑梯 (huátī - slide). Pay attention to tone; 'huá' should be pronounced in the second tone to avoid confusion with other words.

滑 or something close to it

滑 (huá) vs 光滑 (guānghuá) — use 滑 for actions of slipping or sliding, while 光滑 describes a smooth surface without implying movement.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 滑 (huá) with similar-sounding words like 花 (huā - flower) or 话 (huà - speech). For instance, saying 滑冰 (huá bīng) with the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 滑

滑

Practice writing 滑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 滑

滑 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 patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons1
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

Used to emphasize the manner or result of an action.

这条路是滑的。

Zhè tiáo lù shì huá de.

This road is slippery.

Exercise 1 of 1

Build the Sentence

This road is slippery.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Common Confusions with 滑

滑vs华
huá

Same pinyin but different meaning and usage.

滑vs画
huà

Similar pronunciation but refers to drawing or art.

滑 means slippery or to slide, while 滑稽 refers to something comical or funny.

1

他的滑稽表演让人捧腹大笑。

滑 means slippery or to slide, while 滑稽 refers to something comical or funny.

💡Remember 滑 is about smoothness, while 滑稽 is about humor.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to slip"?

or

Usage Notes for 滑

Misuse of 滑 in non-physical contextsCommon Error

滑 is primarily used to describe physical smoothness or slipperiness. Avoid using it in abstract contexts where other terms may be more appropriate.

1

这个问题很滑。

This problem is slippery.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

这个问题很____。

This problem is slippery.

Example Sentences for 滑 (18)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这款洗发水是果香型的，洗后头发如丝般顺滑。

zhè kuǎn xǐ fā shuǐ shì guǒ xiāng xíng de， ， xǐ hòu tóu fā rú sī bān shùn。

This shampoo smells fruity and leaves the hair beautifully silky.
2
不知道为什么，我觉得这极其滑稽。

bù zhī dào wéi shí mó， ， wǒ jué dé zhè jí qí huá。

For some unaccountable reason, it struck me as extremely funny.
3
我猛地一踩刹车，结果车子打滑了。

wǒ měng dì yī cǎi chà chē， ， jié guǒ chē zǐ dǎ huá。

I slammed the brakes on and went into a skid.
4
他的车滑到了大楼的一侧，抵住了。

tā de chē huá dào le dà lóu de yī cè， ， dǐ zhù。

He slewed the car against the side of the building.
5
发动机的声音随着飞机着陆、滑行和停下一直在变化。

fā dòng jī de shēng yīn suí zháo fēi jī zháo lù、 、 huá háng hé tíng xià yī zhí zài biàn。

The engine note changed as the aircraft landed, taxied and halted.
6
传闻有证据表明欧洲的销售量已经下滑。

chuán wén yǒu zhèng jù biǎo míng ōu zhōu de xiāo shòu liáng yǐ jīng xià huá。

Anecdotal evidence suggests that sales in Europe have slipped.
7
路上不时会有吹聚起的积雪，泥泞而湿滑。

lù shàng bù shí huì yǒu chuī jù qǐ de jī xuě， ， ní nìng ér shī。

Here and there a drift across the road was wet and slushy.
8
滑雪板、滑雪靴和滑雪服皆有出租。

huá xuě bǎn、 、 huá xuě xuē hé huá xuě fú jiē yǒu chū。

Hire of skis, boots and clothing, is all available.
9
我最喜欢迈克尔·菲什。他滑稽逗趣，是个实实在在的人物。

wǒ zuì xǐ huān mài kè ěr· · fēi。 shí 。 tā huá jī， dòu qù ， shì gè shí shí zài zài。

Michael Fish is my favourite. He's a hoot, a real character.
10
较好的驾驶设备能够提升在湿滑路面上的抓地力。

jiào hǎo de jià shǐ shè bèi néng gòu tí shēng zài shī huá lù miàn shàng de zhuā dì lì。

Better driv-ing equipment will improve track adhesion in slippery conditions.
11
滑先生是我们公司的新总裁，他有丰富的管理经验。

Huá xiānsheng shì wǒmen gōngsī de xīn zǒngcái, tā yǒu fēngfù de guǎnlǐ jīngyàn.

Mr. Hua is the new CEO of our company; he has extensive management experience.
12
滑小姐刚刚出版了一本关于心理学的书，反响很好。

Huá xiǎojiě gānggāng chūbǎn le yī běn guānyú xīnlǐxué de shū, fǎnxiǎng hěn hǎo.

Ms. Hua recently published a book on psychology, and it has received great feedback.
13
滑教授将参加下周的国际学术会议并发表演讲。

Huá jiàoshòu jiāng cānjiā xiàzhōu de guójì xuéshù huìyì bìng fābiǎo yǎnjiǎng.

Professor Hua will attend next week's international academic conference and deliver a speech.
14
滑家是当地有名的慈善家族，多年来一直帮助贫困家庭。

Huá jiā shì dāngdì yǒumíng de císhàn jiāzú, duōnián lái yīzhí bāngzhù pínkùn jiātíng.

The Hua family is a well-known philanthropic family in the area, helping impoverished families for many years.
15
滑先生是我们公司的新总裁，他有丰富的管理经验。

Huá xiānsheng shì wǒmen gōngsī de xīn zǒngcái, tā yǒu fēngfù de guǎnlǐ jīngyàn.

Mr. Hua is the new CEO of our company; he has extensive management experience.
16
滑小姐刚刚出版了一本关于心理学的书，反响很好。

Huá xiǎojiě gānggāng chūbǎn le yī běn guānyú xīnlǐxué de shū, fǎnxiǎng hěn hǎo.

Ms. Hua recently published a book on psychology, and it has received great feedback.
17
滑教授将参加下周的国际学术会议并发表演讲。

Huá jiàoshòu jiāng cānjiā xiàzhōu de guójì xuéshù huìyì bìng fābiǎo yǎnjiǎng.

Professor Hua will attend next week's international academic conference and deliver a speech.
18
滑家是当地有名的慈善家族，多年来一直帮助贫困家庭。

Huá jiā shì dāngdì yǒumíng de císhàn jiāzú, duōnián lái yīzhí bāngzhù pínkùn jiātíng.

The Hua family is a well-known philanthropic family in the area, helping impoverished families for many years.

Cultural Notes for 滑

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, being 'slippery' often has a negative connotation, strongly associated with deceit, while in some contexts in China, it can also imply cleverness or resourcefulness.

Word Family of 滑

Words Containing This Character20
滑huáto slip
下滑sliding
滑雪huáxuěto ski
滑稽huájīcomical
光滑guānghuáglossy
滑冰huábīngto skate
滑板skateboard
滑坡rockslide
润滑油lubricating oil潤滑油
滑动to slide滑動
滑行to slide
平滑flat and smooth
圆滑slick and sly圓滑
滑头crafty滑頭
润滑smooth潤滑
平滑肌smooth muscle (anatomy)
润滑剂lubricant潤滑劑
滑翔to glide
滑铁卢Waterloo (Belgium)滑鐵盧
防滑antiskid
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 滑 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 滑

Yes, 滑 (Huá) can also be a surname in Chinese. Like many Chinese surnames, it is derived from historical figures or geographical locations, and can be found among various Chinese-speaking populations.

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