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March 24, 2026
毁(毀)huǐ(hui3)
The character 毁 (huǐ) means to destroy or damage something, often implying a significant or irreversible impact. It can be used in various contexts, such as physical destruction, ruining someone's reputation through slander, or damaging property. The nuance may vary depending on whether it refers to tangible destruction or abstract harm, like defamation.
Strokes13Radical殳Frequency#815DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, reputation is highly valued, so the act of defamation or slander (毁谤) can have serious social consequences. This highlights the importance of maintaining one's honor and the severe implications of words and actions that can '毁' someone's character.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fire (火) consuming a beautiful structure, leaving nothing but ashes. The character 毁 combines the radical for fire (火) with elements suggesting destruction. Visualize this scene to remember that 毁 means to destroy or damage, and associate the sound 'huǐ' with the sound of something being ruined.
Meanings of 毁
huǐ(hui3)
1to destroy
2to damage
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 毁
毁Simplified
毀Traditional
13Strokes
殳Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#815Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 毁
Podcast: 毁
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AI Study Notes for 毁
Quick Contrast
毁 (huǐ) vs 破 (pò) — use 毁 when emphasizing significant or irreversible damage, while 破 typically refers to breaking or shattering with less emphasis on the severity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fire (火) consuming a beautiful structure, leaving nothing but ashes. The character 毁 combines the radical for fire (火) with elements suggesting destruction. Visualize this scene to remember that 毁 means to destroy or damage, and associate the sound 'huǐ' with the sound of something being ruined.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 毁 in contexts where significant damage or destruction is implied; saying something was '轻轻毁' (lightly destroyed) might sound odd. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in serious discussions regarding damage or reputation. Always pair it with an appropriate object, such as 毁坏 (to damage) or 毁誉 (to defame).
HSK Study Tips
While 毁 is not included in the official HSK levels, learners should recognize its connections to other verbs related to destruction or damage, such as 破坏 (pòhuài). Focus on its usage in various contexts to deepen understanding, especially how it can apply to both physical and reputational damage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, reputation is highly valued, so the act of defamation or slander (毁谤) can have serious social consequences. This highlights the importance of maintaining one's honor and the severe implications of words and actions that can '毁' someone's character.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 毁 with similar words like 破坏 (pòhuài) or 损害 (sǔnhài), which may lead to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我毁了我的健康' (I destroyed my health) might be too strong; '我损害了我的健康' (I harmed my health) is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 毁
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Grammar Patterns of 毁
毁 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 8 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
妈妈喋喋不休地念叨着他正如何____掉我。
Momma babbled on and on about how he was ruining me.
Example Sentences for 毁 (10)
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1
妈妈喋喋不休地念叨着他正如何毁掉我。
mā mā dié dié bù xiū dì niàn tāo zháo tā zhèng rú hé huǐ diào wǒ。
Momma babbled on and on about how he was ruining me.
2
亚当蹒跚而行，沿路留下毁坏的痕迹。
yà dāng pán shān ér háng， ， yán lù liú xià huǐ huài de hén。
Adam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
3
不要公开诋毁你的公司。
bù yào gōng kāi dǐ huǐ nǐ de gōng sī。
Do not talk disparagingly about your company in public.
4
重要的是不要让错误毁了你的生活。
zhòng yào de shì bù yào ràng cuò wù huǐ le nǐ de shēng huó。
It's important not to let mistakes spoil your life.
5
你告诉我的事情就是他又撞毁了一辆车。
nǐ gào sù wǒ de shì qíng jiù shì tā yòu zhuàng huǐ le yī liàng chē。
All you told me was that he'd smashed up yet another car.
6
好几十英里的铁轨被毁坏了。
hǎo jī shí yīng lǐ de tiě guǐ bèi huǐ huài le。
Dozens of miles of railway track have been torn up.
7
囚犯撒野闹事，砸毁了所有挡路的东西。
qiú fàn sā yě nào shì， ， zá huǐ le suǒ yǒu dǎng lù de dōng。
The prisoners went on the rampage destroying everything in their way.
8
一伙暴徒捣毁了警察设置的路障冲进法庭。
yī huǒ bào tú dǎo huǐ le jǐng chá shè zhì de lù zhàng chōng jìn fǎ tíng。
An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom.
9
他用棒球棒恶意损毁了一辆汽车。
tā yòng bàng qiú bàng è yì sǔn huǐ le yī liàng qì chē。
About forty prisoners are still barricaded inside the wrecked buildings.
Cultural Notes for 毁
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, reputation is highly valued, so the act of defamation or slander (毁谤) can have serious social consequences. This highlights the importance of maintaining one's honor and the severe implications of words and actions that can '毁' someone's character.
Word Family of 毁
Words Containing This Character20
毁huǐto destroy毀
摧毁cuīhuǐto destroy摧毀
毁灭huǐmièto perish毀滅
销毁xiāohuǐto obliterate銷毀
烧毁shāohuǐto burn燒燬
坠毁(of an airplane etc) to fall to the ground and crash墜毀
毁掉to destroy毀掉
毁坏huǐhuàito damage毀壞
炸毁to blow up炸燬
诋毁to vilify詆毀
毁灭性destructive毀滅性
捣毁to destroy搗毀
损毁to ruin損毀
击毁to attack and destroy擊毀
毁容to disfigure毀容
焚毁to burn down焚燬
撕毁to tear up撕毀
毁损impair, damage毀損
毁约to break a promise毀約
拆毁to dismantle拆毀
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 毁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 毁
Yes, 毁 can refer to both physical destruction and emotional harm, especially in the context of reputation.
Yes, 毁 is primarily used to describe negative actions that lead to damage or destruction.
Common phrases include 毁坏 (to damage) and 毁誉 (to defame).
