Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
洶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
洶xiōngturbulent, torrential, restlesszg, 9 strokes, radical 氵
xiōng(xiong1) T1
  1. 1turbulent, torrential, restless
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

洶xiōng(xiong1)

The character 洶 (xiōng) describes a state of restlessness or turbulence, often used in contexts related to water, such as turbulent waves or torrential rain. It conveys a sense of chaotic motion and can also refer to emotional states that are agitated or intense.

Strokes9Radical氵
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry and literature, the imagery of turbulent waters often reflects emotional turmoil or societal unrest, making 洶 a potent symbol in traditional texts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a stormy ocean where the waves are 'xiōng' (像) crashing against the shore, creating a turbulent scene. The character 洶 has a water radical (氵) which connects it to the concept of turbulence in water, making it easier to remember its meaning.

Meanings of 洶

xiōng(xiong1)
1turbulent, torrential, restless
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 洶

洶Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 洶

JasonAmy

Podcast: 洶

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 洶

Quick Contrast

汹 (xiōng) — use 洶 for describing turbulent water or chaotic motion, while 汹 often refers to a more intense or violent surge, particularly in emotional contexts.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 洶 with similar-sounding characters. This word is generally used in written contexts; in spoken language, more common terms for 'turbulent' might be preferred. Be cautious with the tone, as a mispronunciation could change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 洶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to level-appropriate words involving water (like 水) and emotions (like 激动). Students should focus on recognizing the character in literary contexts and understanding its compound usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 洶 with the character 急 (jí), which means 'urgent' or 'anxious.' For example, saying '我觉得很急' (wǒ juédé hěn jí) instead of '我觉得很洶' (wǒ juédé hěn xiōng) can lead to misunderstandings about emotional states.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 洶

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 洶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 洶

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 凶 represents the sound. Simplified form of 洶.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)匈
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 洶

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 凶 represents the sound. Simplified form of 洶.

  1. 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half匈 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 洶? 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 洶?

Decomposition of 洶

IDS Structure⿰氵匈
洶Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
匈Xiong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 洶?

How to say turbulent, torrential, restless in Chinese

“turbulent, torrential, restless” in Chinese is洶xiōng

The character 洶 (xiōng) describes a state of restlessness or turbulence, often used in contexts related to water, such as turbulent waves or torrential rain. It conveys a sense of chaotic motion and can also refer to emotional states that are agitated or intense.

When to use 洶

Common mistakes include confusing 洶 with similar-sounding characters. This word is generally used in written contexts; in spoken language, more common terms for 'turbulent' might be preferred. Be cautious with the tone, as a mispronunciation could change the meaning entirely.

洶 or something close to it

汹 (xiōng) — use 洶 for describing turbulent water or chaotic motion, while 汹 often refers to a more intense or violent surge, particularly in emotional contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 洶 with the character 急 (jí), which means 'urgent' or 'anxious.' For example, saying '我觉得很急' (wǒ juédé hěn jí) instead of '我觉得很洶' (wǒ juédé hěn xiōng) can lead to misunderstandings about emotional states.

Write 洶

洶

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 洶

Words Containing This Character4
汹涌xiōngyǒngturbulent洶湧
气势汹汹aggressive氣勢洶洶
波涛汹涌waves surging forth波濤洶涌
汹xiōngtumultuous洶
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 汹涌 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 洶

It generally refers to something that is turbulent or restless, particularly in relation to water.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 洶?

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.