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March 24, 2026
喝hē(he1)
The character '喝' (hē) primarily means 'to drink,' typically used in contexts involving beverages. Additionally, it can express surprise or excitement, similar to saying 'My goodness!' in English, often used to emphasize a reaction. The word may also imply shouting or calling out in certain contexts.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#264DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, drinking tea or alcohol is often part of social gatherings and celebrations. The act of '喝' can symbolize hospitality and friendship, especially during toasts at banquets.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person at a party who is so excited about the drinks that they shout 'hē!' while raising a glass to drink. The character '喝' has a mouth radical (口) at the bottom, which symbolizes speaking or shouting, while the top part resembles a person’s arms raised in delight.
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AI Study Notes for 喝
Quick Contrast
喝 (hē) vs 吃 (chī) — use 喝 when referring specifically to drinking liquids, while 吃 is for eating solid food.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person at a party who is so excited about the drinks that they shout 'hē!' while raising a glass to drink. The character '喝' has a mouth radical (口) at the bottom, which symbolizes speaking or shouting, while the top part resembles a person’s arms raised in delight.
Usage Notes
'喝' is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, but learners should be careful not to overuse it in casual conversations where it might sound too emphatic. It often collocates with words like '水' (water) or '酒' (alcohol). Remember that the tone is crucial; mispronouncing it as 'hè' (fourth tone) can change its meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, '喝' connects to other basic verbs in Mandarin, such as '吃' (to eat) and '走' (to go). Students should focus on practicing its pronunciation and using it in simple sentences about daily activities involving drinking.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, drinking tea or alcohol is often part of social gatherings and celebrations. The act of '喝' can symbolize hospitality and friendship, especially during toasts at banquets.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '喝' with '喝水' (hē shuǐ) thinking it only means 'to drink water.' However, '喝' can refer to any liquid. Another mistake is using the wrong tone; saying 'hè' instead of 'hē' can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 喝
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Grammar Patterns of 喝
喝 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 4 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.
In Chinese culture, drinking tea or alcohol is often part of social gatherings and celebrations. The act of '喝' can symbolize hospitality and friendship, especially during toasts at banquets.
Word Family of 喝
Words Containing This Character20
喝hēto drink
喝酒to drink (alcohol)
喝茶to drink tea
喝道(of yamen bailiffs etc) to walk ahead of an official, shouting at pedestrians to clear the way
喝彩hècǎito acclaim
吃喝to eat and drink
吆喝to shout
喝醉to get drunk
吃喝玩乐chīhēwánlèto eat, drink and be merry (idiom)吃喝玩樂
大吃大喝to make a pig of oneself
呼喝to shout
喝西北风lit. drink the northwest wind (idiom); cold and hungry喝西北風
喝令to shout an order or command
喝止to shout at sb to stop
吃喝嫖赌to lead a life of dissipation吃喝嫖賭
叱喝to shout at
胡吃海喝to pig out
吃喝拉撒睡to eat, drink, shit, piss, and sleep
吃香喝辣fig. to live well
喝叱to berate
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 喝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 喝
'喝水' (hē shuǐ) means 'to drink water,' and '喝酒' (hē jiǔ) means 'to drink alcohol.'
Generally, '喝' is positive, but in the context of someone shouting angrily, it could imply a negative tone.
'喝' primarily refers to drinking liquids, but can also be figuratively used for expressing excitement or surprise.
