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虾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
虾
há
shrimp, prawn
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 虫, rank #5590, Very Hard
虾
xiā
shrimp, prawn
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 虫, rank #5590, Very Hard
há(ha2)ha
primary
T2
1shrimp, prawn
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
虾(蝦)há(ha2)
虾 (há) refers to shrimp or prawn, which are small, aquatic crustaceans commonly found in various cuisines around the world, especially in Chinese cooking. This character is often used in dishes, seafood markets, and when discussing marine life. It carries a connotation of freshness and is popular in both informal dining and high-end seafood restaurants.
Strokes9Radical虫Frequency#5590DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, shrimp is often used in celebratory dishes, symbolizing happiness and abundance, particularly during festivals like Chinese New Year. It's also a key ingredient in many regional dishes, showcasing the diversity of Chinese cuisine.
Memory tip
Imagine a giant shrimp with the body of a 'house' (the radical '虍' looks a bit like a roof), happily swimming in the sea. The sound 'há' is like the joyful laughter one might hear when enjoying a delicious shrimp dish with friends.
Meanings of 虾
há(ha2)
primary
1shrimp, prawn
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 虾 means.
About 虾
虾Simplified
蝦Traditional
9Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 虾
Podcast: 虾
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AI study notes for 虾
Quick Contrast
虾 (shrimp) vs 蝦 (prawn) — use 虾 for smaller varieties or when referring to shrimp specifically, while 蝦 may imply larger or different types of prawn.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 虾 with other seafood terms, such as 鱼 (fish) or 蟹 (crab), so pay attention to context. It is generally used in informal contexts but can also appear in menus and recipes. Watch the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Though 虾 is not an HSK word, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to food and aquatic life. Focus on recognizing this character in menus or when discussing food, as it enhances your culinary vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 虾, confusing it with other similar-sounding words. For instance, saying 'hā' instead of 'há' changes the meaning entirely. Additionally, some might use it incorrectly in formal contexts where specific types of seafood are required.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虾
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 虾 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.
虾 = 虫 + 下. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 虾
IDS Structure⿰虫下
虾Full character
=
虫chong2
left
下xia4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 虾?
How to say shrimp, prawn in Chinese
“shrimp, prawn” in Chinese is虾há
虾 (há) refers to shrimp or prawn, which are small, aquatic crustaceans commonly found in various cuisines around the world, especially in Chinese cooking. This character is often used in dishes, seafood markets, and when discussing marine life. It carries a connotation of freshness and is popular in both informal dining and high-end seafood restaurants.
When to use 虾
Learners often confuse 虾 with other seafood terms, such as 鱼 (fish) or 蟹 (crab), so pay attention to context. It is generally used in informal contexts but can also appear in menus and recipes. Watch the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
虾 or something close to it
虾 (shrimp) vs 蝦 (prawn) — use 虾 for smaller varieties or when referring to shrimp specifically, while 蝦 may imply larger or different types of prawn.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 虾, confusing it with other similar-sounding words. For instance, saying 'hā' instead of 'há' changes the meaning entirely. Additionally, some might use it incorrectly in formal contexts where specific types of seafood are required.
Write 虾
虾
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Practice writing 虾 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 虾
虾 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
在南非，贾尼可谓塘中无鱼____为大。
In South Africa, Jani was a big fish in a small pond.
Example sentences for 虾 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
在南非，贾尼可谓塘中无鱼虾为大。
zài nán fēi， gǔ ní kěwèi táng zhōng wú yú há wèi dà。
In South Africa, Jani was a big fish in a small pond.
2
阿塔纳斯点了一份鸡尾冷虾和一份色拉。
Ā tǎ nà Sī diǎn le yī fèn jī wěi lěng há hé yī fèn sè lā。
