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March 24, 2026
夸张(誇張)kuāzhāng(kua1zhang1)
夸张 (kuāzhāng) means to exaggerate or make something seem more extreme than it is. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe instances of hyperbole in everyday conversation, literature, or art, often implying that the exaggeration is ridiculous or excessive.
Strokes13Frequency#3615DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
夸张 is frequently seen in Chinese art forms, particularly in traditional opera and storytelling, where characters often use hyperbolic language to evoke emotions or emphasize a point, reflecting a cultural appreciation for dramatic expression.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant '夸' (kuā) talking to people and stretching a balloon (张) to an enormous size, representing how exaggeration makes things bigger than they really are. The sound 'kuā' can remind you of 'quack', as in a duck that exaggerates its quacking for attention.
Meanings of 夸张
kuāzhāng(kua1zhang1)
1to exaggerate
2overstated
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 夸张
夸张Simplified
誇張Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3615Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 夸张
Podcast: 夸张
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AI Study Notes for 夸张
Quick Contrast
夸大 (kuādà) — use 夸张 when the exaggeration is seen as ridiculous or excessive, whereas 夸大 is more neutral and simply means to amplify or enlarge without the same connotation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when using 夸张; it is often used in informal settings, especially in discussions about storytelling or advertising. Common collocations include '夸张的故事' (exaggerated story) or '夸张的表现' (exaggerated performance). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 夸张 connects well with other vocabulary related to descriptions and opinions. Focus on its use in context to understand how exaggeration can affect the meaning of narratives or descriptions in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 夸张 with 夸耀 (kuāyào, to boast). For example, saying '我夸张了我的成绩' (I exaggerated my grades) instead of '我夸耀了我的成绩' (I boasted about my grades) can lead to misunderstandings.
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Pronunciation of 夸张
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夸张 (kuāzhāng) means to exaggerate or make something seem more extreme than it is. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe instances of hyperbole in everyday conversation, literature, or art, often implying that the exaggeration is ridiculous or excessive.
When to use 夸张
Be cautious with the tone when using 夸张; it is often used in informal settings, especially in discussions about storytelling or advertising. Common collocations include '夸张的故事' (exaggerated story) or '夸张的表现' (exaggerated performance). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.
夸张 or something close to it
夸大 (kuādà) — use 夸张 when the exaggeration is seen as ridiculous or excessive, whereas 夸大 is more neutral and simply means to amplify or enlarge without the same connotation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 夸张 with 夸耀 (kuāyào, to boast). For example, saying '我夸张了我的成绩' (I exaggerated my grades) instead of '我夸耀了我的成绩' (I boasted about my grades) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 夸张
夸
张
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Grammar Patterns of 夸张
夸张 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 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
我____地鞠了个躬，然后挥手致意。
I gave a theatrical bow and waved.
Example Sentences for 夸张 (10)
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1
我夸张地鞠了个躬，然后挥手致意。
wǒ kuā zhāng dì jū le gè gōng， ， rán hòu huī shǒu zhì。
I gave a theatrical bow and waved.
2
那段录像里是7分钟极尽夸张搞笑的闹剧表演。
nà duàn lù xiàng lǐ shì7 7 fēn zhōng jí jìn kuā zhāng gǎo xiào de nào jù biǎo。
The video was seven minutes of high camp and melodrama.
