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) 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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 肖 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half肖 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 哨? 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 哨?
Decomposition of 哨
IDS Structure⿰口肖
哨Full Character
=
口kou3
left
肖Xiao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component 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
Complete the Sentence
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.
