HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
毁
huǐ
to damage
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
毁
huǐ
to ruin
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
毁
huǐ
to defame
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
毁
huǐ
to slander
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
毁
huǐ
to destroy by fire
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
毁
huǐ
a blaze
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 殳, rank #815, Very Hard
huǐ(hui3)hui T3
1to destroy
2to damage
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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#815DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 毁 means.
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.
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.
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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Knowing 毁 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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.
When to use 毁
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).
毁 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 毁
毁
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Practice writing 毁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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。
