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荷花 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
荷花héhuālotusHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #54237, Very Hard
héhuā(he2hua1)he hua T2
  1. 1lotus
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March 24, 2026

荷花héhuā(he2hua1)

荷花 (héhuā) refers to the lotus flower, a significant symbol in Chinese culture representing purity and enlightenment due to its ability to bloom beautifully from muddy waters. It is commonly used in poetry, art, and religious contexts, often associated with Buddhist teachings and the beauty of resilience.

Strokes17Frequency#54237DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the lotus flower is celebrated during festivals and is often depicted in traditional paintings. It symbolizes purity in Buddhist philosophy, where it represents spiritual awakening and the beauty that arises from adversity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful lotus flower (荷花) emerging from murky water, symbolizing purity. The character 荷 (hé) looks like a 'h' with a 'e' and a flower, reminding you of the 'lotus' that 'he' blooms from the mud.

Meanings of 荷花

héhuā(he2hua1)
1lotus
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About 荷花

荷花Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 荷花

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Podcast: 荷花

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AI Study Notes for 荷花

Quick Contrast

莲花 (liánhuā) - use 荷花 (héhuā) when referring specifically to the lotus flower in cultural contexts, while 莲花 (liánhuā) can refer to the broader family of water lilies.

Usage Notes

荷花 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in literature and art. A common mistake is to confuse 荷花 with other types of flowers; remember that 荷 specifically refers to the lotus. Also, note the tones: 'he2' and 'hua1' are essential for correct pronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

荷花 is not currently an HSK vocabulary word, but understanding it can enhance your comprehension of poetic and cultural texts. Focus on recognizing its components and associated idioms, as it may appear in nature-related topics.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is to mispronounce 荷花, confusing the tones, resulting in a completely different meaning. Ensure you pronounce it as 'héhuā' to convey 'lotus' accurately.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 荷花

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Component Characters

荷hélotus, water lily; burden, responsibility; Holland
10 strokes艹
View full entry
花huāflower
HSK 27 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say lotus in Chinese

“lotus” in Chinese is荷花héhuā

荷花 (héhuā) refers to the lotus flower, a significant symbol in Chinese culture representing purity and enlightenment due to its ability to bloom beautifully from muddy waters. It is commonly used in poetry, art, and religious contexts, often associated with Buddhist teachings and the beauty of resilience.

When to use 荷花

荷花 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in literature and art. A common mistake is to confuse 荷花 with other types of flowers; remember that 荷 specifically refers to the lotus. Also, note the tones: 'he2' and 'hua1' are essential for correct pronunciation.

荷花 or something close to it

莲花 (liánhuā) - use 荷花 (héhuā) when referring specifically to the lotus flower in cultural contexts, while 莲花 (liánhuā) can refer to the broader family of water lilies.

What learners get wrong

A frequent error is to mispronounce 荷花, confusing the tones, resulting in a completely different meaning. Ensure you pronounce it as 'héhuā' to convey 'lotus' accurately.

Write 荷花

荷
花

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

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Cultural Notes for 荷花

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In many Western cultures, the lotus is also a symbol of purity; however, it is less commonly associated with spiritual concepts compared to its prominence in Chinese Buddhism.

Frequently Asked Questions about 荷花

荷花 symbolizes purity and enlightenment, often linked to Buddhism.

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