HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 目, rank #2404, Very Hard
瞎
xiā
groundlessly
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 目, rank #2404, Very Hard
瞎
xiā
foolishly
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 目, rank #2404, Very Hard
瞎
xiā
to no purpose
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 目, rank #2404, Very Hard
瞎
xiā
blind, reckless; rash
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 目, rank #2404, Very Hard
xiā(xia1) T1
1blind
2groundlessly
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March 24, 2026
瞎xiā(xia1)
The character 瞎 (xiā) primarily means 'blind' or 'to be blind,' both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is commonly used to describe actions done recklessly or without clear understanding, often suggesting foolishness or groundlessness in those actions.
Strokes15Radical目Frequency#2404DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 'blind' is often used metaphorically to describe someone who acts without insight or knowledge, which can be seen in traditional sayings and idioms that caution against rash behavior.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with their eyes covered (the character 瞎 looks like a pair of eyes with a 'blindfold') stumbling around and making foolish decisions. The 'xiā' sound can remind you of 'see,' which contrasts with being blind.
Meanings of 瞎
xiā(xia1)
1blind
2groundlessly
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 瞎
瞎Simplified
15Strokes
目Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#2404Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 瞎
Podcast: 瞎
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AI Study Notes for 瞎
Quick Contrast
盲 (máng) refers specifically to 'blindness' in a literal sense, while 瞎 (xiā) carries additional connotations of recklessness or foolishness.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 瞎 with other characters that relate to sight, like 视 (shì, to see). It is often used in informal contexts and can be paired with terms like 瞎说 (xiā shuō, to talk nonsense) to emphasize foolishness. Remember that the tone is important; mispronouncing the tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 瞎 connects with other words relating to perception and understanding. Students should focus on how it can modify verbs to indicate actions taken without thought, such as in 瞎搞 (xiā gǎo, to mess around foolishly).
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 瞎 by applying it in overly formal contexts, such as in academic writing. For example, saying 瞎的研究 (xiā de yánjiū) is incorrect; instead, use a more formal term like 无知的 (wúzhī de, ignorant).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瞎
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1The giveawayTo damage 害 one's eyes 目; 害 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 瞎? 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 瞎?
Decomposition of 瞎
IDS Structure⿰目害
瞎Full Character
=
目mu4
left
害hai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 瞎?
How to say blind in Chinese
“blind” in Chinese is瞎xiā
The character 瞎 (xiā) primarily means 'blind' or 'to be blind,' both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is commonly used to describe actions done recklessly or without clear understanding, often suggesting foolishness or groundlessness in those actions.
When to use 瞎
Be careful not to confuse 瞎 with other characters that relate to sight, like 视 (shì, to see). It is often used in informal contexts and can be paired with terms like 瞎说 (xiā shuō, to talk nonsense) to emphasize foolishness. Remember that the tone is important; mispronouncing the tone can change the meaning entirely.
瞎 or something close to it
盲 (máng) refers specifically to 'blindness' in a literal sense, while 瞎 (xiā) carries additional connotations of recklessness or foolishness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 瞎 by applying it in overly formal contexts, such as in academic writing. For example, saying 瞎的研究 (xiā de yánjiū) is incorrect; instead, use a more formal term like 无知的 (wúzhī de, ignorant).
Write 瞎
瞎
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Practice writing 瞎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 瞎
瞎 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 5 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
由于揭露此事，他被女神赫拉弄____了眼。
For this revelation he was struck blind by the goddess Hera.
