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March 24, 2026
轰(轟)hōng(hong1)
The character 轰 (hōng) primarily refers to a loud sound, such as an explosion or a bang. It can also imply a forceful action, like attacking or expelling something. This word is often used in contexts involving noise, impact, or sudden movement.
Strokes8Radical车Frequency#5929DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound of explosions, such as firecrackers during festivals, symbolizes joy and the warding off of evil spirits. The character 轰 is often associated with celebrations like the Lunar New Year.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant drum that makes a loud 'hōng' sound when struck. The character 轰 resembles a drum being hit with a stick, creating a booming noise. Picture a massive explosion that visually represents the impact and sound of 'hōng'.
Meanings of 轰
hōng(hong1)
1explosion
2bang
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 轰
轰Simplified
轟Traditional
8Strokes
车Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5929Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 轰
Podcast: 轰
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AI Study Notes for 轰
Quick Contrast
轰 (hōng) vs 响 (xiǎng) — use 轰 for explosive or forceful sounds, while 响 refers to general sounds or echoes.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant drum that makes a loud 'hōng' sound when struck. The character 轰 resembles a drum being hit with a stick, creating a booming noise. Picture a massive explosion that visually represents the impact and sound of 'hōng'.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 轰 in contexts where a softer sound is implied, such as whispers or quiet actions. It is generally informal, so avoid using it in very formal writing. It often collocates with words like '炸' (to explode) to describe sounds of explosions.
HSK Study Tips
Although 轰 is not in the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects well to HSK level 3 words like '响' (xiǎng, to sound) and '声' (shēng, sound), which also deal with auditory sensations. Focus on pronunciation and context for effective usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound of explosions, such as firecrackers during festivals, symbolizes joy and the warding off of evil spirits. The character 轰 is often associated with celebrations like the Lunar New Year.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 轰 with similar sounding words, like 哼 (hēng), which means to hum. For example, saying '轰一首歌' instead of '哼一首歌' (humming a song) is incorrect. Remember that 轰 is for loud sounds, not soft ones.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 轰
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Grammar Patterns of 轰
轰 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 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 4
Complete the Sentence
在我生长的伦敦，四周全是____炸后的断壁残垣。
In London, where I grew up, we were surrounded by bomb sites.
Example Sentences for 轰 (10)
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1
在我生长的伦敦，四周全是轰炸后的断壁残垣。
zài wǒ shēng cháng de lún dūn， ， sì zhōu quán shì hōng zhà hòu de duàn bì cán。
In London, where I grew up, we were surrounded by bomb sites.
2
他们的部队在炮轰仅有7英里之遥的德军防线。
tā mén de bù duì zài páo hōng jǐn yǒu7 7 yīng lǐ zhī yáo de dé jūn fáng。
Their unit was shelling the German lines only seven miles away.
The car ploughed through three gardens and flattened a tree.
4
俄国人必须俯冲轰炸那些城市才能重新获得控制权。
é guó rén bì xū fǔ chōng hōng zhà nà xiē chéng shì cái néng zhòng xīn huò dé kòng zhì quán。
The Russians had to dive-bomb the cities to regain control.
5
敌军对该城发起连串炮轰。
dí jūn duì gāi chéng fā qǐ lián chuàn páo hōng。
Enemy forces lobbed a series of artillery shells onto the city.
6
他的爱情生活很复杂，几段感情都是轰轰烈烈。
tā de ài qíng shēng huó hěn fù zá， ， jī duàn gǎn qíng dū shì hōng hōng liè。
His love life was complicated, and involved intense relationships.
7
卡车倒车和掉头的时候，我听见发动机的轰鸣声。
kǎ chē dǎo chē hé diào tóu de shí hòu， ， wǒ tīng jiàn fā dòng jī de hōng míng。
I heard the engines revving as the lorries backed and turned.
8
他们不时地听到大卡车的轰鸣声。
tā mén bù shí dì tīng dào dà kǎ chē de hōng míng shēng。
Now and then they heard the roar of a heavy truck.
9
为了尽量减低附带性破坏，轰炸须做到最大程度的精确。
wéi le jìn liáng jiǎn dī fù dài xìng pò huài， ， hōng zhà xū zuò dào zuì dà chéng dù de jīng。
To minimize collateral damage maximum precision in bombing was required.
10
一辆火车从我的身边轰隆隆地开过。
yī liàng huǒ chē cóng wǒ de shēn biān hōng lóng lóng dì kāi guò。
Somewhere close at hand a train rattled by.
Cultural Notes for 轰
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the sound of explosions, such as firecrackers during festivals, symbolizes joy and the warding off of evil spirits. The character 轰 is often associated with celebrations like the Lunar New Year.
Word Family of 轰
Words Containing This Character16
轰hōngbang轟
轰炸hōngzhàto bomb轟炸
轰动hōngdòngcommotion轟動
轰炸机bomber (aircraft)轟炸機
轰轰烈烈strong轟轟烈烈
轰鸣rumble轟鳴
炮轰to bombard炮轟
轰然loudly轟然
轰轰booming轟轟
轰击bombard轟擊
轰隆rolling轟隆
轰动一时to cause a sensation (idiom)轟動一時
狂轰滥炸to bomb indiscriminately狂轟濫炸
轰走to drive away轟走
地毯式轰炸carpet bombing地毯式轟炸
轰赶to drive away轟趕
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 轰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 轰
The correct pronunciation is 'hōng', with a high-level tone.
Yes, 轰 can be used metaphorically to describe intense situations or feelings, such as a '轰动' (hōngdòng) - a sensation or uproar.
No, while it commonly refers to explosions, it can also describe any loud, impactful noise.
