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March 24, 2026
嗷áo(ao2)
The character 嗷 (áo) refers to a loud, often mournful sound, typically associated with wailing or clamor. It conveys a sense of intense emotion, such as sorrow or lamentation, and is often used in contexts where a loud expression of grief or protest is involved.
Strokes13Radical口Frequency#6028DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressions of grief and wailing are often seen during funerals and memorials, where loud lamentation signifies deep respect for the deceased, reflecting the importance of filial piety.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wolf howling at the moon, making a loud and mournful sound. The shape of 嗷 resembles a wolf's open mouth, and the 'áo' pronunciation can be remembered by associating it with the loud 'ahhh' of wailing.
Meanings of 嗷
áo(ao2)
1clamor; the sound of wailing
2loud clamor
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 嗷
嗷Simplified
13Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嗷
Podcast: 嗷
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AI Study Notes for 嗷
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wolf howling at the moon, making a loud and mournful sound. The shape of 嗷 resembles a wolf's open mouth, and the 'áo' pronunciation can be remembered by associating it with the loud 'ahhh' of wailing.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in literary or expressive contexts, 嗷 might not be suitable for everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; for example, the tone must remain level to maintain its meaning. Collocations include phrases expressing lament or clamor.
HSK Study Tips
While 嗷 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other expressive sound-related characters. Students should focus on tone pronunciation and the emotional context of usage to better understand its application in literature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressions of grief and wailing are often seen during funerals and memorials, where loud lamentation signifies deep respect for the deceased, reflecting the importance of filial piety.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嗷 with similar characters that express different sounds or emotions, such as 哀 (āi), which means sorrow. For instance, saying '我很嗷' (Wǒ hěn áo) is incorrect; it should be used in a context focused on sound, e.g., '他在嗷叫' (Tā zài áo jiào) meaning 'He is wailing loudly.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嗷
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Grammar Patterns of 嗷
嗷 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
那头猪突然____嗷叫着狂奔起来。
The pig rose squealing and bolted.
Example Sentences for 嗷 (2)
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1
那头猪突然嗷嗷叫着狂奔起来。
nà tóu zhū tū rán áo áo jiào zháo kuáng bēn qǐ lái。
The pig rose squealing and bolted.
2
牲口棚里的牲口饿得朝她嗷嗷叫.
shēng kǒu péng lǐ de shēng kǒu è dé zhāo tā áo áo jiào.
The stock in the barn cried to her hungrily.
Cultural Notes for 嗷
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressions of grief and wailing are often seen during funerals and memorials, where loud lamentation signifies deep respect for the deceased, reflecting the importance of filial piety.
Word Family of 嗷
Words Containing This Character2
嗷áoloud clamor
嗷嗷待哺cry piteously for food
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 嗷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嗷
It's more appropriate for literary contexts or when discussing emotions, rather than in casual conversation.
No, it's quite rare in everyday speech and mostly appears in poetry or storytelling.
Focus on the emotional context; 嗷 specifically conveys a loud, mournful sound, unlike other characters that may express different types of sounds.
