Meanings of 哄
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Podcast: 哄
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AI Study Notes for 哄
哄 (hǒng) vs 逗 (dòu) — use 哄 when referring to coaxing or amusing, especially with children, while 逗 emphasizes teasing or playfully provoking.
Be cautious with the tone, as 'hōng' can refer to both coaxing and uproar, which may lead to confusion. It's typically used in informal settings, especially when discussing interactions with children or lively situations. Common collocations include '哄孩子' (hōng háizi - to coax a child) and '哄笑' (hōng xiào - to roar with laughter).
As an HSK Level 6 word, 哄 connects with other words related to emotions and actions such as 笑 (xiào - to laugh) and 哭 (kū - to cry). Focus on understanding its dual meanings of coaxing and uproar, and practice using it in different contexts for better retention.
Learners often confuse 哄 with 鬨 (hòng), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我哄骗他' (wǒ hǒng piàn tā) instead of '我哄他' (wǒ hōng tā) when intending to say 'I coax him' can change the meaning to 'I deceive him'.
Pronunciation of 哄
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Jason Explains 哄 to You
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Etymology of 哄
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 共 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鬨.
mouth
Origin
哄 = 口 + 共. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 哄
Parts
Which of these is part of 哄?
How to say roar of laughter (onom.) in Chinese
“roar of laughter (onom.)” in Chinese is哄
The character 哄 (hōng) primarily means to coax or amuse, especially in contexts involving children. It can also refer to a loud uproar or commotion, often associated with laughter or disturbance in a crowd. The usage can range from playful coaxing to more negative connotations of deception.
When to use 哄
Be cautious with the tone, as 'hōng' can refer to both coaxing and uproar, which may lead to confusion. It's typically used in informal settings, especially when discussing interactions with children or lively situations. Common collocations include '哄孩子' (hōng háizi - to coax a child) and '哄笑' (hōng xiào - to roar with laughter).
哄 or something close to it
哄 (hǒng) vs 逗 (dòu) — use 哄 when referring to coaxing or amusing, especially with children, while 逗 emphasizes teasing or playfully provoking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 哄 with 鬨 (hòng), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我哄骗他' (wǒ hǒng piàn tā) instead of '我哄他' (wǒ hōng tā) when intending to say 'I coax him' can change the meaning to 'I deceive him'.
Write 哄
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Practice writing 哄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 哄
哄 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 11 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
一小群小青年没走，在起____、叫骂。
A small group of youths stayed behind to heckle and shout abuse.
Example Sentences for 哄 (10)
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Word Family of 哄
Words with 哄
What does 起哄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 哄
While 哄 (hōng) primarily means to coax or amuse, 哄骗 (hōng piàn) means to deceive or trick someone. The latter has a more negative connotation.
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