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March 24, 2026
闹(閙)nào(nao4)
The character 闹 (nào) primarily means to make noise or disturb the peace. It is commonly used in contexts where there is excessive sound, such as during celebrations or arguments. Additionally, it can imply venting emotions or having a sudden health issue, making it quite versatile in usage.
Strokes8Radical门Frequency#2058DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '闹' is often associated with lively festivals and gatherings, where noise and celebration are seen as expressions of joy. The term is particularly relevant during events like the Lunar New Year, where noise signifies good luck.
Memory Tip
Imagine a loud, chaotic party where everyone is 'nào'-ing, making noise and disturbing the neighbors. The character 闹 visually resembles a mouth (口) and a door (门), suggesting communication and disturbance happening at a threshold, like sounds spilling out into the street.
Meanings of 闹
nào(nao4)
1noisy
2cacophonous
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About 闹
闹Simplified
閙Traditional
8Strokes
门Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2058Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 闹
Podcast: 闹
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AI Study Notes for 闹
Quick Contrast
喧 (xuān) vs 闹 (nào): Use 闹 when referring to making noise in a disruptive context, while 喧 emphasizes loudness or clamor, often without the disruptive connotation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 闹 with its variant 鬧 (nào), which has similar meanings but is more archaic. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversation, but be cautious with its tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
闹 is not classified under any specific HSK level, but it can be related to HSK 3 vocabulary involving daily activities and emotions. Focus on using it in context with other verbs that describe actions and feelings to enhance your conversational skills.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 闹 in overly formal contexts, where words like 争吵 (zhēngchǎo) for 'quarrel' may be more appropriate. Another error is mispronouncing it; remember it is pronounced with a falling tone (nào), not a rising one.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 闹
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The character 闹 (nào) primarily means to make noise or disturb the peace. It is commonly used in contexts where there is excessive sound, such as during celebrations or arguments. Additionally, it can imply venting emotions or having a sudden health issue, making it quite versatile in usage.
When to use 闹
Learners often confuse 闹 with its variant 鬧 (nào), which has similar meanings but is more archaic. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversation, but be cautious with its tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
闹 or something close to it
喧 (xuān) vs 闹 (nào): Use 闹 when referring to making noise in a disruptive context, while 喧 emphasizes loudness or clamor, often without the disruptive connotation.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is using 闹 in overly formal contexts, where words like 争吵 (zhēngchǎo) for 'quarrel' may be more appropriate. Another error is mispronouncing it; remember it is pronounced with a falling tone (nào), not a rising one.
Write 闹
闹
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Grammar Patterns of 闹
闹 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 10 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.
无理取闹wúlǐqǔnàoto make trouble without reason (idiom); to be deliberately provocative無理取鬧
喧闹xuānnàonoisy喧鬧
闹翻to have a falling out鬧翻
凑热闹to join in the fun湊熱鬧
闹市downtown area鬧市
看热闹kànrènaoto go where the crowds are看熱鬧
闹腾to disturb鬧騰
大吵大闹to make a scene大吵大鬧
小打小闹small-scale小打小鬧
闹别扭to be difficult with sb鬧彆扭
闹情绪to be in a bad mood鬧情緒
闹肚子(coll.) to have diarrhea鬧肚子
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 闹
What does 热闹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 闹
闹 (nào) means to make noise or disturb, while 静 (jìng) means quiet or still. These words represent opposite concepts, with 闹 emphasizing activity and sound, and 静 emphasizing calm and silence. Understanding the contrast between these terms can help you describe different environments or situations in Chinese.
闹 (nào) is appropriate in casual conversations, especially when discussing lively situations or expressing emotions. It's commonly used in family or friend settings, particularly when talking about children or events that involve noise. However, it may not be suitable for formal contexts.
闹 (nào) means to make noise or disturb. It can also refer to venting emotions or expressing feelings. Additionally, it has a variant form 鬧 that shares the same meaning. In some contexts, it can imply falling ill due to excessive stress or noise.
You can use 闹 (nào) in sentences to describe making noise or causing a disturbance. For example, you might say '他们在公园里闹得很欢' (Tāmen zài gōngyuán lǐ nào dé hěn huān), which means 'They are making a lot of noise in the park.' It's often used in informal contexts.
No, 闹 is more informal and is typically used in spoken language or casual writing.
Yes, 闹 can also mean to quarrel or dispute, making it a versatile term in social contexts.
The pronunciation is 'nào' with a falling tone, similar to the English word 'now' but with a more emphasized tone.
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