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March 24, 2026
焦Jiāo(Jiao1)
The character 焦 (jiāo) primarily means 'burnt' or 'scorched,' often used to describe food that has been overcooked or an object that has been charred. Additionally, it conveys feelings of anxiety or worry, making it versatile in both culinary and emotional contexts.
Strokes12Radical灬Frequency#5077DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, food is highly regarded, and a common phrase is '焦了' (jiāo le) to jokingly refer to overcooked dishes during meals, highlighting the importance of cooking perfectly. Anxiety is also a common theme, especially in competitive environments like education and work.
Memory tip
Imagine a piece of toast that has been left in the toaster too long, turning焦 (jiāo) and becoming burnt. The character looks like a flame rising from a charred surface, reminding you of the heat that causes焦 to happen.
Meanings of 焦
Jiāo(Jiao1)
1burnt
2scorched
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About 焦
焦Simplified
12Strokes
灬Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5077Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 焦
Podcast: 焦
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AI study notes for 焦
Quick Contrast
焦 (burnt) vs 烧 (burn) — use 焦 when referring specifically to something that is overcooked or scorched, while 烧 can refer to the act of burning without the connotation of overcooking.
Usage Notes
焦 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s essential to differentiate its meanings based on context. Common collocations include 焦虑 (jiāo lǜ, anxious) and 焦糖 (jiāo táng, caramelized sugar). Be cautious with tones; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
焦 is not currently included in the HSK levels, but it's useful for learners who are progressing to more advanced vocabulary. Focus on its dual meanings—physical (burnt) and emotional (anxious)—to enrich your understanding of context in conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 焦 with similar characters like 烧 (shāo). For example, saying '我很烧' (wǒ hěn shāo) to express anxiety is incorrect; the correct form is '我很焦虑' (wǒ hěn jiāo lǜ).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 焦
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The character 焦 (jiāo) primarily means 'burnt' or 'scorched,' often used to describe food that has been overcooked or an object that has been charred. Additionally, it conveys feelings of anxiety or worry, making it versatile in both culinary and emotional contexts.
When to use 焦
焦 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s essential to differentiate its meanings based on context. Common collocations include 焦虑 (jiāo lǜ, anxious) and 焦糖 (jiāo táng, caramelized sugar). Be cautious with tones; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
焦 or something close to it
焦 (burnt) vs 烧 (burn) — use 焦 when referring specifically to something that is overcooked or scorched, while 烧 can refer to the act of burning without the connotation of overcooking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 焦 with similar characters like 烧 (shāo). For example, saying '我很烧' (wǒ hěn shāo) to express anxiety is incorrect; the correct form is '我很焦虑' (wǒ hěn jiāo lǜ).
Write 焦
焦
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Grammar patterns of 焦
焦 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 8 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.
