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熬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
熬āoto boilHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬āoto simmerHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬āoto cook on a slow fireHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬āoto extract by heatingHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬āoto decoctHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬āoto endureHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬āoto boil, to simmer; to endure painHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto boilHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto simmerHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto cook on a slow fireHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto extract by heatingHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto decoctHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto endureHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
熬áoto boil, to simmer; to endure painHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #3160, Very Hard
áo(ao2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1to boil
  2. 2to simmer
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

熬áo(ao2)

The character 熬 (áo) primarily means 'to boil' or 'to simmer,' often used in the context of cooking. It can also imply enduring hardship or pain, making it a versatile term that reflects both physical and emotional endurance, such as 'to tough it out' in a difficult situation.

Strokes14Radical灬Frequency#3160DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 熬 is often associated with traditional Chinese medicine, where herbs are simmered to extract their medicinal properties. This reflects the cultural emphasis on natural remedies and the patience required in the healing process.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pot simmering on the stove, its steam rising and swirling like a cloud of endurance. The left part of the character, 火 (huǒ), means fire, while the right part, 奧 (ào), reminds you that something deeper is cooking inside, invoking both the act of cooking and the process of enduring.

Meanings of 熬

áo(ao2)
primary
1to boil
2to simmer
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 熬

熬Simplified
14Strokes
灬Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3160Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 熬

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Podcast: 熬

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AI Study Notes for 熬

Quick Contrast

熬 (áo) vs 煮 (zhǔ) — use 熬 when emphasizing endurance or hardship, while 煮 focuses solely on the act of cooking.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 熬 with 煮 (zhǔ), which specifically means to boil. This character is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing cooking methods or expressing the idea of enduring challenges. Common collocations include 熬夜 (áo yè, to stay up late) and 熬汤 (áo tāng, to simmer soup).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 熬 connects well with other cooking-related vocabulary and terms for endurance, such as 忍耐 (rěnnài, to endure). Focus on situational usage, especially in contexts discussing cooking or personal challenges.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 熬 with 煮 (zhǔ), mistakenly using it when they mean to say 'boil' in a general sense. For example, saying 熬水 (áo shuǐ) instead of 煮水 (zhǔ shuǐ) for 'boiling water' is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 熬

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Etymology of 熬

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 灬 represents the meaning and 敖 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

fire

Semantic (meaning)灬
+
Phonetic (sound)敖
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 熬

Phonosemantic compound. 灬 represents the meaning and 敖 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half灬 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half敖 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfire
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 熬? 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 熬?

Decomposition of 熬

IDS Structure⿱敖灬
熬Full Character
=
敖Ao2
top
灬huo3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 熬?

How to say to boil in Chinese

“to boil” in Chinese is熬āo

The character 熬 (áo) primarily means 'to boil' or 'to simmer,' often used in the context of cooking. It can also imply enduring hardship or pain, making it a versatile term that reflects both physical and emotional endurance, such as 'to tough it out' in a difficult situation.

When to use 熬

Be careful not to confuse 熬 with 煮 (zhǔ), which specifically means to boil. This character is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing cooking methods or expressing the idea of enduring challenges. Common collocations include 熬夜 (áo yè, to stay up late) and 熬汤 (áo tāng, to simmer soup).

熬 or something close to it

熬 (áo) vs 煮 (zhǔ) — use 熬 when emphasizing endurance or hardship, while 煮 focuses solely on the act of cooking.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 熬 with 煮 (zhǔ), mistakenly using it when they mean to say 'boil' in a general sense. For example, saying 熬水 (áo shuǐ) instead of 煮水 (zhǔ shuǐ) for 'boiling water' is incorrect.

Write 熬

熬

Practice writing 熬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 熬

熬 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

他们互相关心，关系牢固，这才____过了艰难岁月。

The warmth and strength of their relationship carried them through difficult times.

Common Confusions with 熬

熬vs傲
ào

Similar pinyin but different meaning.

熬vs敖
áo

Same pinyin but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to boil"?

or

Usage Notes for 熬

Mixing up tonesCommon Error

Learners often confuse the tones of '熬' with similar sounding characters. It's important to practice the correct tone to convey the intended meaning.

1

我在熬汤。

I am boiling soup.

2

他很傲慢。

He is very arrogant.

Context of useGrammar Tip

The verb '熬' can be used in both culinary contexts and metaphorically to describe enduring a difficult situation.

1

熬夜对身体不好。

Staying up late is not good for your health.

2

我们需要熬过这个困难。

We need to endure this difficulty.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我在____汤。

I am boiling soup.

Example Sentences for 熬 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们互相关心，关系牢固，这才熬过了艰难岁月。

tā mén hù xiāng guān xīn， ， guān xì láo， gù ， zhè cái āo guò le jiān nán。

The warmth and strength of their relationship carried them through difficult times.
2
有30户人家因为失业而正在经受煎熬。

yǒu30 30 hù rén jiā yīn wéi shī yè ér zhèng zài jīng shòu jiān。

30 families are suffering 'cause they're out of work.
3
因此，即便有时他们熬夜到很晚，那也说明不了什么。

yīn cǐ， ， jí biàn yǒu shí tā mén āo yè dào hěn， wǎn ， nà yě shuō míng bù le。

So what if sometimes they stayed rather late, it doesn't mean anything.
4
他把红酒熬稠后再用。

tā bǎ hóng jiǔ āo chóu hòu zài yòng。

He boils down red wine and uses what's left.
5
难以想象人们将怎样熬过这个冬天。

nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng rén mén jiāng zěn yàng āo guò zhè gè dōng tiān。

It is hard to see how people will get through the winter.
6
这种汤是用多达十几种不同的鱼熬制而成的。

zhè zhǒng tāng shì yòng duō dá shí jī zhǒng bù tóng de yú āo zhì ér chéng de。

The soup was concocted from up to a dozen different kinds of fish.
7
也许他们是太累了，考虑到他们成宿成宿地熬夜。

yě xǔ tā mén shì tài léi le， ， kǎo lǜ dào tā mén chéng sù chéng sù dì āo。

Maybe they are tired, what with all the sleep they're losing staying up night after night.
8
在不绝于耳的批评声中，这位部长又挨过了难熬的一天。

zài bù jué yú ěr de pī píng shēng zhōng， ， zhè wèi bù cháng yòu āi guò le nán āo de yī。

The minister suffered yet another torrid day of criticism.
9
他发现监狱生活“确实难熬”。

tā fā xiàn jiān yù shēng huó“ “ què shí nán”。

He is finding prison life "real tough"
10
这是难熬的一天。

zhè shì nán āo de yī tiān。

It's been a tough day.

Word Family of 熬

Words Containing This Character7
熬áoto decoct
熬夜áoyèto stay up late or all night
煎熬to suffer
难熬hard to bear難熬
苦熬to endure (years of suffering)
熬药to decoct medicinal herbs熬藥
熬煎suffering
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 熬 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 熬

No, while it primarily means 'to boil' or 'to cook,' it also encompasses the idea of enduring hardships.

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