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March 24, 2026
招呼()zhāohu(zhao1hu5)
招呼 (zhāo hū) means to call out to someone or to greet them, often in a friendly or informal manner. It can also imply taking care of someone, such as informing them about something or ensuring their well-being in a social context. This term is commonly used in everyday interactions, especially when meeting friends or acquaintances.
Frequency#2687DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, greeting someone properly is a sign of respect and friendliness. 招呼 reflects the importance of social interactions and maintaining relationships, especially in communal settings like markets and festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine you're at a bustling market and you see a friend across the way. You wave and shout '招呼!' as a way to greet them. The character 招 (zhāo) looks like a hand reaching out to call someone, while 呼 (hū) resembles sound waves flowing out, representing the act of calling out.
Meanings of 招呼
zhāohu(zhao1hu5)
1to call out to
2to greet
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About 招呼
招呼Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 招呼
Podcast: 招呼
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AI Study Notes for 招呼
Quick Contrast
打招呼 (dǎ zhāohū) vs 招呼 (zhāohu) — use 打招呼 when emphasizing the action of greeting or initiating contact.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you're at a bustling market and you see a friend across the way. You wave and shout '招呼!' as a way to greet them. The character 招 (zhāo) looks like a hand reaching out to call someone, while 呼 (hū) resembles sound waves flowing out, representing the act of calling out.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 招呼; it's more informal and may not be suitable for formal settings. A common mistake is using 招呼 too formally, such as in business meetings, where a greeting like 你好 (nǐ hǎo) would be more appropriate. Additionally, ensure you use the correct tones, as mispronouncing them can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 招呼 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with other greeting words in daily conversation. Focus on practicing its pronunciation and use it in situational dialogues to reinforce your understanding of greetings in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, greeting someone properly is a sign of respect and friendliness. 招呼 reflects the importance of social interactions and maintaining relationships, especially in communal settings like markets and festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 招呼 with greetings like 你好 (nǐ hǎo) and use it inappropriately in formal situations. For instance, saying '招呼' in a business email is incorrect; a more suitable greeting would be '您好'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 招呼
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Cultural Notes for 招呼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, greeting someone properly is a sign of respect and friendliness. 招呼 reflects the importance of social interactions and maintaining relationships, especially in communal settings like markets and festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions about 招呼
招呼 is generally considered informal, making it suitable for casual conversations among friends or acquaintances. In formal situations, other terms may be preferred for greeting.
Yes, 招呼 can also mean to call out to someone, as in getting their attention. For example, you might say '我招呼他过来' meaning 'I called him over'.
招呼 (zhāo hū) means to greet or to call out to someone. It can be used in various contexts, such as welcoming someone or getting their attention. This term is often used in informal settings.
You can use 招呼 in sentences like '他向我招呼' which means 'He greeted me'. It's commonly used when you want to express that someone is acknowledging or welcoming another person.
No, 招呼 can be used whenever you want to greet someone, whether it's a first meeting or a casual encounter with a friend.
It's better to use more formal greetings like 你好 (nǐ hǎo) or 您好 (nín hǎo) in professional settings, as 招呼 is typically informal.
招呼 can imply not only saying hello but also checking in on someone's well-being or informing them about something important.
