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起哄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
起哄qǐhòngto heckleHSK 7, v, 19 strokes, rank #25772, Very Hard
起哄qǐhòngrowdy jeeringHSK 7, v, 19 strokes, rank #25772, Very Hard
起哄qǐhòngto create a disturbanceHSK 7, v, 19 strokes, rank #25772, Very Hard
qǐhòng(qi3hong4)qi hong T3
  1. 1to heckle
  2. 2rowdy jeering
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March 24, 2026

起哄(起鬨)qǐhòng(qi3hong4)

起哄 (qǐhòng) means to create a disturbance or to heckle, often in a noisy or rowdy manner. This term is commonly used in contexts such as sports events, performances, or gatherings where individuals or groups provoke or disrupt the atmosphere, usually in a playful or mischievous way.

Strokes19Frequency#25772DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, heckling at public performances or sports events can be seen as part of the lively atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and shared experience among attendees, unlike in some Western cultures where heckling might be frowned upon.

Memory tip

Imagine a group of people (起) standing up (哄) and making noise to disrupt a quiet event. The '起' resembles a person rising, while '哄' sounds like the noise they make—like a chaotic crowd. Picture them playfully heckling a performer as they rise to their feet.

Meanings of 起哄

qǐhòng(qi3hong4)
1to heckle
2rowdy jeering
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 起哄

起哄Simplified
起鬨Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#25772Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 起哄

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AI study notes for 起哄

Quick Contrast

闹 (nào, to make noise) — use 起哄 when the disturbance is specifically playful or mischievous in nature, while 闹 can refer to any type of noise-making.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 起哄 with similar terms like 起立 (qǐlì - to stand up) or 喧哗 (xuānhuá - to make noise). Use 起哄 in informal contexts, typically related to light-hearted or teasing situations, rather than serious disruptions. Be cautious with tone; the third tone (qi3) can easily slip to the second tone if not careful.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 起哄 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to social interactions and behaviors. Focus on understanding how this word fits in discussions about public events or social gatherings, and practice using it in context to enhance fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes incorrectly use 起哄 in contexts where serious disruption is meant, such as protests. For example, saying '他们在街上起哄' (They are heckling in the street) should be corrected to a more appropriate term like 抗议 (kàngyì - to protest) if the situation is serious.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 起哄

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Component characters

起qǐto rise
HSK 310 strokes走
View full entry
哄hǒngroar of laughter (onom.)
HSK 79 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to heckle in Chinese

“to heckle” in Chinese is起哄qǐhòng

起哄 (qǐhòng) means to create a disturbance or to heckle, often in a noisy or rowdy manner. This term is commonly used in contexts such as sports events, performances, or gatherings where individuals or groups provoke or disrupt the atmosphere, usually in a playful or mischievous way.

When to use 起哄

Learners often confuse 起哄 with similar terms like 起立 (qǐlì - to stand up) or 喧哗 (xuānhuá - to make noise). Use 起哄 in informal contexts, typically related to light-hearted or teasing situations, rather than serious disruptions. Be cautious with tone; the third tone (qi3) can easily slip to the second tone if not careful.

起哄 or something close to it

闹 (nào, to make noise) — use 起哄 when the disturbance is specifically playful or mischievous in nature, while 闹 can refer to any type of noise-making.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes incorrectly use 起哄 in contexts where serious disruption is meant, such as protests. For example, saying '他们在街上起哄' (They are heckling in the street) should be corrected to a more appropriate term like 抗议 (kàngyì - to protest) if the situation is serious.

Write 起哄

起
哄

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

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Grammar patterns of 起哄

起哄 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 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 2

Fill the gap

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

一小群小青年没走,在____、叫骂。

A small group of youths stayed behind to heckle and shout abuse.

Example sentences for 起哄 (2)

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1
一小群小青年没走,在起哄、叫骂。

yī xiǎo qún xiǎo qīngnián méi zǒu, zài qǐhòng、 jiào mà。

A small group of youths stayed behind to heckle and shout abuse.
2
过了一会儿便有人起哄了。先是嘘声,然后就是大喊大叫。

guò le yíhuìr biàn yǒurén qǐhòng le。 xiān shì xū shēng, ránhòu jiùshì dà hǎn dà jiào。

After a moment the barracking began. First came hisses, then shouts.

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Frequently asked questions about 起哄

No, 起哄 is best suited for informal settings where playful disturbances occur.

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