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哨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
哨
shào
a whistle
HSK 7, ng, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12821, Very Hard
哨
shào
sentry
HSK 7, ng, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12821, Very Hard
哨
shào
to whistle; to chirp
HSK 7, ng, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #12821, Very Hard
shào(shao4)shao T4
1a whistle
2sentry
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March 24, 2026
哨shào(shao4)
The character 哨 (shào) refers to a whistle or the act of whistling, commonly used in contexts such as sports, military, or signaling. It can also denote a sentry, someone who stands guard or watches over an area. The nuance of this word encompasses both the object (whistle) and the action (to whistle), making it versatile in usage.
Strokes10Radical口Frequency#12821DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese sports, referees often use a whistle to signal fouls or breaks in play, symbolizing authority and control. The use of whistles in military contexts is also prevalent, emphasizing the importance of signaling in maintaining order and structure.
Memory tip
Imagine a soldier, standing tall like a sentry, holding a whistle in his mouth. The shape of the character 哨 resembles a person with a whistle (the top part) ready to signal. The sound 'shào' can be remembered by thinking of a loud 'shout' that a sentry might use to alert others.
Meanings of 哨
shào(shao4)
1a whistle
2sentry
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 哨 means.
About 哨
哨Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#12821Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 哨
Podcast: 哨
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AI study notes for 哨
Quick Contrast
哨 (shào) vs 吹 (chuī) — use 哨 when referring specifically to the whistle or the act of signaling with it, while 吹 refers to the act of blowing air, which can apply to various contexts beyond just whistling.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 哨 (shào) with 号 (hào), which means 'number' or 'to call out.' 哨 is more informal and is often used in sports contexts, while 号 can be more formal. When using 哨, remember that it can refer both to the object and the action, so context is key.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 哨 connects with other words related to signaling and communication. Students should focus on its application in specific contexts like sports and military scenarios, and practice using it in sentences to describe actions related to whistling or guarding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哨 with 号, thinking both can mean 'to call out.' For example, saying '我哨了他' (I whistled him) instead of '我叫了他' (I called him) is incorrect when referring to calling someone.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哨
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 哨 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
哨 = 口 + 肖. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 哨
IDS Structure⿰口肖
哨Full character
=
口kou3
left
肖Xiao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 哨?
How to say a whistle in Chinese
“a whistle” in Chinese is哨shào
The character 哨 (shào) refers to a whistle or the act of whistling, commonly used in contexts such as sports, military, or signaling. It can also denote a sentry, someone who stands guard or watches over an area. The nuance of this word encompasses both the object (whistle) and the action (to whistle), making it versatile in usage.
When to use 哨
Be careful not to confuse 哨 (shào) with 号 (hào), which means 'number' or 'to call out.' 哨 is more informal and is often used in sports contexts, while 号 can be more formal. When using 哨, remember that it can refer both to the object and the action, so context is key.
哨 or something close to it
哨 (shào) vs 吹 (chuī) — use 哨 when referring specifically to the whistle or the act of signaling with it, while 吹 refers to the act of blowing air, which can apply to various contexts beyond just whistling.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 哨 with 号, thinking both can mean 'to call out.' For example, saying '我哨了他' (I whistled him) instead of '我叫了他' (I called him) is incorrect when referring to calling someone.
Write 哨
哨
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Practice writing 哨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 哨
哨 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
每晚你都会听见炼钢厂的下班____声。
Every night you could hear the whistles of the steel mill.
