2to defend, to guard, to protect; shelter; endorse
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March 24, 2026
护(護)hù(hu4)
The character 护 (hù) means 'to protect' or 'to guard.' It is commonly used in contexts related to safety and defense, such as in healthcare or personal security. This term carries a nuance of care and responsibility towards whatever is being protected.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#3037DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of protection is deeply rooted in familial and societal values, where parents and elders are expected to protect the younger generations. This character is often seen in contexts involving healthcare and social welfare.
Memory Tip
Imagine a guardian holding a shield (the radical 扌, meaning 'hand') to protect someone from harm. The shape of 护 can remind you of a person sheltering another, emphasizing the protective action. Think of 'hù' as 'who' is guarding you?
Meanings of 护
hù(hu4)
1to protect
2to defend, to guard, to protect; shelter; endorse
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 护
护Simplified
護Traditional
7Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3037Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 护
Podcast: 护
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AI Study Notes for 护
Quick Contrast
保护 (bǎohù, to protect) vs 守护 (shǒuhù, to guard) — use 护 when emphasizing care and responsibility in protection.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a guardian holding a shield (the radical 扌, meaning 'hand') to protect someone from harm. The shape of 护 can remind you of a person sheltering another, emphasizing the protective action. Think of 'hù' as 'who' is guarding you?
Usage Notes
When using 护, be careful with its tone; it is pronounced with a falling tone. Common collocations include 护理 (hùlǐ, nursing) and 保护 (bǎohù, to protect). Avoid confusing it with 互 (hù, mutual), which has a different meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 护 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners aiming for HSK 4 and above, as it often appears in healthcare discussions. Focus on related words like 保护 (bǎohù) and 护理 (hùlǐ) to strengthen your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of protection is deeply rooted in familial and societal values, where parents and elders are expected to protect the younger generations. This character is often seen in contexts involving healthcare and social welfare.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 护 with 互 (hù), leading to incorrect phrases like '互理' instead of '护理.' Ensure to use 护 in contexts related to protection.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 护
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Grammar Patterns of 护
护 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass.
4
“谢谢你，医生，”护士傻笑着说。
“ “ xiè xiè， nǐ ，，” yī shēng ，” hù shì shǎ。
"Thank you doctor," said the nurse with a simper.
5
你不得不对她维护正义的勇气竖起大拇指。
nǐ bù dé bù duì tā wéi hù zhèng yì de yǒng qì shù qǐ dà mǔ zhǐ。
You have to give her top marks for moral guts.
6
问题是要保护遗址免受房地产开发商的侵占。
wèn tí shì yào bǎo hù yí zhǐ miǎn shòu fáng dì chǎn kāi fā shāng de qīn zhān。
The problem was to safeguard sites from encroachment by property development.
7
这个公园是为了保护该州最北部地区的一些森林而建的。
zhè gè gōng yuán shì wéi le bǎo hù gāi zhōu zuì běi bù dì qū de yī xiē sēn lín ér jiàn de。
The park was created to preserve some of the forests upstate.
8
刚出首都，总统无人护卫的汽车就遭到了伏击。
gāng chū shǒu dū， ， zǒng tǒng wú rén hù wèi de qì chē jiù zāo dào le fú。
The President's unescorted vehicle was ambushed just outside the capital.
9
镇上老码头区多年来疏于维护,快要塌陷了.
zhèn shàng lǎo mǎ tóu qū duō nián lái shū yú wéi hù, , kuài yào tā xiàn.
The town's old quayside is collapsing after years of neglect.
10
该报违反了保护隐私的行为准则。
gāi bào wéi fǎn le bǎo hù yǐn sī de háng wéi zhǔn zé。
The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.
Cultural Notes for 护
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of protection extends beyond physical safety to include emotional and mental well-being. Families often use symbols and practices to safeguard their loved ones.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of protection is deeply rooted in familial and societal values, where parents and elders are expected to protect the younger generations. This character is often seen in contexts involving healthcare and social welfare.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the idea of protection often emphasizes individual rights and self-defense, while in Chinese culture, it is more about communal responsibility and familial duty.
Word Family of 护
Words Containing This Character20
保护bǎohùto protect保護
维护wéihùto defend維護
护hùto protect護
护士hùshinurse護士
辩护biànhùto defend辯護
护理hùlǐto nurse護理
救护车jiùhùchēambulance救護車
掩护yǎnhùto screen掩護
护照hùzhàopassport護照
防护fánghùto defend防護
守护shǒuhùto guard守護
环境保护environmental protection環境保護
医护medic醫護
护送to escort護送
爱护àihùto cherish愛護
监护jiānhùto act as a guardian監護
拥护yōnghùto endorse擁護
保护区conservation district保護區
护卫to guard護衛
呵护hēhùto bless呵護
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 保护 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 护
Some common phrases that include 护 (hù) are '护卫' (hùwèi), meaning 'to guard' or 'guard troops', and '护法' (hùfǎ), which refers to 'protecting the law'. These phrases highlight the protective aspect of the word in various contexts.
护 is pronounced as 'hù' in Mandarin. The tone is the fourth tone, which is a falling tone. Proper pronunciation is essential for clarity in communication.
护 (hù) means 'to protect' or 'to guard' in Chinese. It can also imply sheltering or endorsing someone or something. This character is commonly used in various contexts related to safety and defense.
护 (hù) can be used in sentences like '护送' (hùsòng), which means 'to escort' or 'to protect while accompanying'. Another common phrase is '保护' (bǎohù), meaning 'to protect' or 'to safeguard'. It's important to note the context to understand the nuances in meaning.
护 is pronounced with a falling tone, hù.
Common phrases include 护理 (hùlǐ, nursing) and 护照 (hùzhào, passport).
Yes, 护 is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about health and safety.
