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英雄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
英雄yīngxióngheroHSK 6, ns, 20 strokes, rank #1079, Hard
yīngxióng(ying1xiong2)ying xiong T1
  1. 1hero
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March 24, 2026

英雄yīngxióng(ying1xiong2)

The term 英雄 (yīng xióng) refers to a hero, someone admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. It is commonly used in literature, movies, and everyday conversation to describe individuals who display bravery or selflessness, often in the face of danger or adversity.

Strokes20Frequency#1079DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of a hero often ties to historical figures, such as generals or revolutionaries, who are celebrated for their contributions to the nation. The portrayal of heroes in Chinese films and literature often emphasizes loyalty and sacrifice.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'Ying' (sounds like 'ying') bird soaring high in the sky, a symbol of bravery. The character 英 (yīng) suggests excellence, while 雄 (xióng) embodies masculinity and strength. Picture a heroic figure with wings, representing the ultimate hero who rises above challenges.

Meanings of 英雄

yīngxióng(ying1xiong2)
1hero
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 英雄

英雄Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#1079Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 英雄

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Podcast: 英雄

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AI study notes for 英雄

Quick Contrast

勇士 (yǒng shì) - use 英雄 (yīng xióng) for someone admired for noble qualities, while 勇士 (yǒng shì) emphasizes bravery in battle or combat.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 英雄 in contexts where a simpler term like '好人' (hǎo rén, good person) might be more appropriate. 英雄 is more formal and often used in storytelling or historical contexts. Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it could change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 英雄 connects to other words related to bravery and virtue, such as 勇敢 (yǒng gǎn, brave) and 英俊 (yīng jùn, handsome). Focus on understanding its usage in various contexts, particularly in literature and media.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 英雄 with the word 勇士 (yǒng shì, warrior), which emphasizes fighting and combat rather than heroic qualities. The correct usage would be '他是一位英雄' (tā shì yī wèi yīng xióng) instead of '他是勇士'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 英雄

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Component characters

英YīngUnited Kingdom
8 strokes艹
View full entry
雄xióngmale
12 strokes隹
View full entry

How to say hero in Chinese

“hero” in Chinese is英雄yīngxióng

The term 英雄 (yīng xióng) refers to a hero, someone admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. It is commonly used in literature, movies, and everyday conversation to describe individuals who display bravery or selflessness, often in the face of danger or adversity.

When to use 英雄

Common mistakes include using 英雄 in contexts where a simpler term like '好人' (hǎo rén, good person) might be more appropriate. 英雄 is more formal and often used in storytelling or historical contexts. Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it could change its meaning.

英雄 or something close to it

勇士 (yǒng shì) - use 英雄 (yīng xióng) for someone admired for noble qualities, while 勇士 (yǒng shì) emphasizes bravery in battle or combat.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 英雄 with the word 勇士 (yǒng shì, warrior), which emphasizes fighting and combat rather than heroic qualities. The correct usage would be '他是一位英雄' (tā shì yī wèi yīng xióng) instead of '他是勇士'.

Write 英雄

英
雄

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

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Grammar patterns of 英雄

英雄 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他们用____的名字命名这条街,以纪念在战争中牺牲的烈士。

They named this street after the hero, in order to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed themselves in the war.

Example sentences for 英雄 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
住手吧,佩里。你已经逞过英雄了。现在一切都结束了。

zhù shǒu ba, pèi lǐ。 nǐ yǐjīng chěng guò yīngxióng le。 xiànzài yíqiè dōu jiéshù le。

Cut it out, Perry. You've performed your heroics. It's all over now.
2
他们是我们这个时代的无名英雄。

tāmen shì wǒmen zhège shídài de wú míng yīngxióng。

They are among the unsung heroes of our time.
3
他称曼德拉先生为鼓舞了数百万民众的英雄。

tā chèn màn dé lā xiānsheng wèi gǔwǔ le shù bǎi wàn mínzhòng de yīngxióng。

He called Mr Mandela a hero who had inspired millions.
4
情歌哄骗我们去相信有勇救美人的英雄。

qíng gē hǒng piàn wǒmen qù xiāngxìn yǒu yǒng jiù měirén de yīngxióng。

Love songs trick us into believing in knights in shining armor.
5
在格林尼治村的酒吧里杰克是人们心目中的英雄。

zài gé lín ní zhì cūn de jiǔbā lǐ jié kè shì rénmen xīnmù zhōng de yīngxióng。

Jack was a folk hero in the Greenwich Village bars.
6
性情温和的斯坦利变了,成了充满信心、笑口常开的英雄。

xìngqíng wēnhé de Sī tǎn lì biàn le, chéng le chōngmǎn xìnxīn、 xiào kǒu cháng kāi de yīngxióng。

Mild-mannered Stanley morphs into a confident, grinning hero.
7
剧本倒叙了老英雄的童年.

jùběn dào xù le lǎo yīngxióng de tóngnián.

The script cuts back to the old hero's childhood.
8
自信 为英雄气概之本.

zìxìn wèi yīngxióng qìgài zhī běn.

Self - trust is the essence of heroism.
9
我以前看了很多《高卢英雄传》系列漫画书。

wǒ yǐqián kàn le hěn duō《 gāo lú yīngxióng chuán》 xìliè mànhuà shū。

I used to read loads of Asterix books.
10
风浪里试舵手, 困难中识英雄.

fēnglàng lǐ shì duòshǒu, kùnnan zhōng shí yīngxióng.

A helmsman is tested in a rough sea; a hero is distinguished in difficult circumstances.
11
这位医生在疫情期间拯救了无数生命,被大家称为真正的英雄。

Zhè wèi yīshēng zài yìqíng qījiān zhěngjiùle wúshù shēngmìng, bèi dàjiā chēng wéi zhēnzhèng de yīngxióng.

This doctor saved countless lives during the pandemic and is called a true hero by everyone.
12
在抗战中,他以非凡的勇气和智慧赢得了英雄的称号。

Zài kàngzhàn zhōng, tā yǐ fēifán de yǒngqì hé zhìhuì yíngdéle yīngxióng de chēnghào.

During the war of resistance, he earned the title of hero with his extraordinary courage and wisdom.
13
在这部电影中,他扮演了一位为了正义而奋斗的英雄。

Zài zhè bù diànyǐng zhōng, tā bànyǎnle yī wèi wèile zhèngyì ér fèndòu de yīngxióng.

In this movie, he played a hero who fights for justice.
14
这位消防员在火灾中勇敢救人,被市民们视为英雄。

Zhè wèi xiāofángyuán zài huǒzāi zhōng yǒnggǎn jiù rén, bèi shìmínmen shì wéi yīngxióng.

This firefighter bravely saved people during the fire and is regarded as a hero by the citizens.
15
小说中的英雄常常面临艰难的选择和挑战。

Xiǎoshuō zhōng de yīngxióng chángcháng miànlín jiānnán de xuǎnzé hé tiǎozhàn.

Heroes in novels often face difficult choices and challenges.
16
为了国家的安全,她做出了巨大的牺牲,是我们心中的英雄。

Wèile guójiā de ānquán, tā zuòchūle jùdà de xīshēng, shì wǒmen xīnzhōng de yīngxióng.

For the safety of the country, she made great sacrifices and is a hero in our hearts.

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Frequently asked questions about 英雄

You can say '他是一个英雄' (tā shì yī gè yīng xióng) meaning 'He is a hero.'

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