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)
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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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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Drill the tone of 虾 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 下 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蝦.
1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
2The sound half下 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayinsect
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 虾? 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 虾?
Decomposition of 虾
IDS Structure⿰虫下
虾Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
下xia4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component 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.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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
Complete the Sentence
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.
