Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
号 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
háoordinal numberHSK 1, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háoroarHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háocryHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háo>个[gè]HSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háoday of a monthHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háomarkHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háosignHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háobusiness establishmentHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háosizeHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háoship suffixHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háohorn (wind instrument)HSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háobugle callHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háoassumed nameHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háoto take a pulseHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háoclassifier used to indicate number of peopleHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
háomark, sign; symbol; number; to call, to cry, to roarHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoordinal numberHSK 1, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoroarHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàocryHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hào>个[gè]HSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoday of a monthHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàomarkHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàosignHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàobusiness establishmentHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàosizeHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoship suffixHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàohorn (wind instrument)HSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàobugle callHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoassumed nameHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoto take a pulseHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàoclassifier used to indicate number of peopleHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hàomark, sign; symbol; number; to call, to cry, to roarHSK 1, m, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #297, Easy
hào(hao4)
primary
T4
  1. 1ordinal number
  2. 2roar
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(號)hào(hao4)

The character 号 (háo) has several meanings, primarily used to denote a number or a size. It is commonly used in contexts such as indicating dates (e.g., the '5th' of the month) and can also refer to a business establishment or a mark. Its versatility makes it useful in everyday conversations about time and measurement.

Strokes5RadicalFrequency#297DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 号 is often used when discussing important dates for festivals or events. For example, one might ask, '今天是几号?' (What date is it today?), making it a relevant term in daily life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a loud horn (号) being blown, signaling the start of a race. The horn's sound (háo) echoes as the number of runners (or size of the crowd) increases. Visualizing this scene helps connect the pronunciation to its meaning of number and mark.

Meanings of 号

hào(hao4)
primary
1ordinal number
2roar
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 号

Simplified
Traditional
5Strokes
Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#297Frequency Rank
Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 号

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 号

Quick Contrast

号 (hào) vs 数 (shù) — use 号 for specific designations like dates or sizes, while 数 refers to counting or numerical values.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a loud horn (号) being blown, signaling the start of a race. The horn's sound (háo) echoes as the number of runners (or size of the crowd) increases. Visualizing this scene helps connect the pronunciation to its meaning of number and mark.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 号 with the measure word 个 (gè); remember that 号 specifically refers to numbers and dates. It is more common in informal settings, while ordinal numbers might be expressed differently in formal writing. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, 号 is foundational for discussing dates and numbers. Students should practice using 号 in sentences to describe dates and quantities, connecting it to other basic vocabulary like 日 (rì, day) and 个 (gè, measure word).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 号 is often used when discussing important dates for festivals or events. For example, one might ask, '今天是几号?' (What date is it today?), making it a relevant term in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget to use the correct tone, saying 'hao' instead of 'háo', which changes the meaning entirely. Additionally, mixing it up with 个 (gè) is frequent; remember that 号 is specifically for numbers and dates.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 号

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 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 号

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

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 丂 represents the sound. Simplified form of 號.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 号?

Decomposition of 号

IDS Structure⿱口丂
Full Character
=
kou3
top
kao3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 号?

Write 号

Practice writing 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 号

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她1998年8月20____出生。

She was born on August 20, 1998.

Example Sentences for 号 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
只需拨这个号码告诉我们你在什么地方。

zhī xū bō zhè gè hào mǎ gào sù wǒ mén nǐ zài shí mó dì fāng。

Simply dial the number and tell us your area.
2
非正常的出血是你的身体发出的危险信号。

fēi zhèng cháng de chū xiě shì nǐ de shēn tǐ fā chū de wēi xiǎn xìn hào。

The abnormal bleeding is your body's own red flag of danger.
3
你的发动机很适合烧76号辛烷汽油。

nǐ de fā dòng jī hěn shì hé shāo76 76 hào xīn wán qì。

Your engine can run happily on 76 octane petrol.
4
括号中的价格是年龄在18岁以下的消费者可以享受的特别优惠价。

kuò hào zhōng de jià gé shì nián líng zài18 18 suì yǐ xià de xiāo fèi zhě kě yǐ xiǎng shòu de tè bié yōu huì。

The prices in brackets are special rates for the under 18s.
5
公司对待我的态度就好像是我上班时溜号了似的。

gōng sī duì dài wǒ de tài dù jiù hǎo xiàng shì wǒ shàng bān shí liū hào le sì de。

The company treated me as though I were skiving.
6
通用柴油动力火车头将车厢转轨到了4号月台。

tōng yòng chái yóu dòng lì huǒ chē tóu jiāng chē xiāng zhuǎn guǐ dào le4 4 hào yuè。

The GM diesel engine shunted the coaches to Platform
7
你可以给我打电话——给你,这是我母亲的电话号码。

nǐ kě yǐ gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà—— —— gěi, nǐ , zhè shì wǒ mǔ qīn de diàn huà。

You know you can phone me — here's my mother'snumber.
8
这艘船的注册编号刻在前舱的左舷上。

zhè sōu chuán de zhù cè biān hào kè zài qián cāng de zuǒ xián shàng。

Her official number is carved on the port side of the forecabin.
9
军队在5月1号又接管了另一长条领土。

jūn duì zài5 51 yuè 1 hào yòu jiē guǎn le lìng yī cháng tiáo。

On May 1st the army took over another swathe of territory.
10
他是1月9号到的,蓬头垢面,疲惫不堪。

tā shì1 19 yuè 9 hào, dào de , péng, tóu gòu miàn ,。

He arrived on January 9, disheveled and much the worse for wear.

Cultural Notes for 号

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 号 is often used when discussing important dates for festivals or events. For example, one might ask, '今天是几号?' (What date is it today?), making it a relevant term in daily life.

Word Family of 号

Compounds5
xiao1owl
hao4mark, sign; symbol; number; to call, to cry, to roar
xiao1owl
Words Containing This Character20
hàomark
号码hàomǎnumber號碼
信号xìnhàosignal信號
称号chēnghàoname稱號
口号kǒuhàoslogan口號
符号fúhàosymbol符號
型号xínghàomodel (particular version of a manufactured article)型號
号召hàozhàoto call號召
头号tóuhàofirst rate頭號
编号biānhàoto number編號
账号zhànghàoaccount賬號
代号dàihàocode name代號
号称hàochēngto be known as號稱
绰号chuòhàonickname綽號
记号jìhaomark記號
外号wàihàonickname外號
暗号countersign暗號
大号tuba大號
拨号to dial a telephone number撥號
讯号signal訊號
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 鸮 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 号

You can say, '今天是五号' (Today is the 5th) to indicate the date.