Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
叫好 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
叫好jiàohǎoto applaudHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #21827, Very Hard
叫好jiàohǎoto cheerHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #21827, Very Hard
jiàohǎo(jiao4hao3)jiao hao T4
  1. 1to applaud
  2. 2to cheer
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

叫好jiàohǎo(jiao4hao3)

叫好 (jiàohǎo) means to applaud or cheer, often in response to a performance or achievement. It can express approval or encouragement in various contexts, such as sports events, performances, or even personal accomplishments.

Strokes11Frequency#21827DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, applauding or cheering at performances or events is a way to show respect and appreciation for the effort put in by the performers. It reflects the collective spirit of encouragement in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine someone shouting 'jiao' (叫) while clapping their hands to cheer for a great show. The 'hao' (好) sounds like 'how', as in 'how great that performance was!' Together, they create a vivid image of applause and approval.

Meanings of 叫好

jiàohǎo(jiao4hao3)
1to applaud
2to cheer
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 叫好 means.

About 叫好

叫好Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 叫好

JasonAmy

Podcast: 叫好

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 叫好

Quick Contrast

喝彩 (hècǎi) - use 叫好 (jiàohǎo) when expressing approval specifically in a context of applause or cheering, whereas 喝彩 (hècǎi) can imply a broader range of vocal encouragement.

Usage Notes

This term is generally informal and used in everyday conversation. A common mistake is to confuse it with 叫 (jiào) which means 'to call', so be mindful of context. It often collocates with terms related to events, performances, or achievements, such as '演出' (yǎnchū) meaning 'performance'.

HSK Study Tips

Although 叫好 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, understanding it can help students with HSK vocabulary related to expressing emotions and reactions. Focus on similar expressions and their contexts to enhance your conversational skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 叫好 to refer to physical applause alone, instead of the broader act of cheering or expressing approval. Remember, it encompasses both verbal and non-verbal expressions of support.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 叫好

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 叫好, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 叫好 to you

Let me explain 叫好 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 叫好 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 叫好?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 叫好 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

叫jiàoto shout
HSK 15 strokes口
View full entry
好hǎogood
HSK 16 strokes女
View full entry

How to say to applaud in Chinese

“to applaud” in Chinese is叫好jiàohǎo

叫好 (jiàohǎo) means to applaud or cheer, often in response to a performance or achievement. It can express approval or encouragement in various contexts, such as sports events, performances, or even personal accomplishments.

When to use 叫好

This term is generally informal and used in everyday conversation. A common mistake is to confuse it with 叫 (jiào) which means 'to call', so be mindful of context. It often collocates with terms related to events, performances, or achievements, such as '演出' (yǎnchū) meaning 'performance'.

叫好 or something close to it

喝彩 (hècǎi) - use 叫好 (jiàohǎo) when expressing approval specifically in a context of applause or cheering, whereas 喝彩 (hècǎi) can imply a broader range of vocal encouragement.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 叫好 to refer to physical applause alone, instead of the broader act of cheering or expressing approval. Remember, it encompasses both verbal and non-verbal expressions of support.

Write 叫好

叫
好

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 叫好?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 叫好

While 叫好 is generally informal, it can be used in semi-formal contexts, such as congratulating someone at a gathering, but avoid it in formal speeches.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 叫好?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab