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March 24, 2026
狡猾jiǎohuá(jiao3hua2)
The word 狡猾 (jiǎo huá) describes someone who is crafty, cunning, or sly. It is often used to refer to individuals who use cleverness, often in a deceitful manner, to achieve their goals. This term can be applied to both people and situations, particularly when highlighting a lack of honesty or straightforwardness.
Frequency#4847DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being called 狡猾 can reflect a negative judgment, akin to calling someone a 'sneaky' individual. This term is often used in fables and stories where characters embody cunning traits, highlighting moral lessons about honesty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sly fox (the character 狡) wearing a clever hat (the character 猾). The fox tricks others into thinking it’s harmless while it plots its next cunning move. The sound 'jiao' can remind you of 'jail,' where crafty people often end up due to their slyness.
Meanings of 狡猾
jiǎohuá(jiao3hua2)
1crafty
2cunning
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About 狡猾
狡猾Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#4847Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 狡猾
Podcast: 狡猾
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AI Study Notes for 狡猾
Quick Contrast
狡诈 (jiǎozhà) - use 狡猾 when highlighting cleverness in achieving goals, while 狡诈 emphasizes deceitfulness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sly fox (the character 狡) wearing a clever hat (the character 猾). The fox tricks others into thinking it’s harmless while it plots its next cunning move. The sound 'jiao' can remind you of 'jail,' where crafty people often end up due to their slyness.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 狡猾 with other similar adjectives like 聪明 (cōng míng, clever) or 机智 (jī zhì, witty), but those imply a more positive connotation. In formal contexts, it's important to use 狡猾 carefully, as it can carry a negative tone. Common collocations include '狡猾的人' (crafty person) or '狡猾的计划' (cunning plan).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 狡猾 connects to other adjectives describing character traits. Students should focus on the subtle differences between similar adjectives. Consider practicing sentences that contrast 狡猾 with more positive traits.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being called 狡猾 can reflect a negative judgment, akin to calling someone a 'sneaky' individual. This term is often used in fables and stories where characters embody cunning traits, highlighting moral lessons about honesty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 狡猾 in contexts where a positive trait is intended, such as saying '他很狡猾' (He is very cunning) when they mean to compliment. Instead, use '他很聪明' (He is very clever) for a positive description.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 狡猾
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Grammar Patterns of 狡猾
狡猾 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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 3
Complete the Sentence
这句问话是一种穷急智生的____的遁辞词.
The question was a quick, shrewd parry.
Example Sentences for 狡猾 (3)
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1
这句问话是一种穷急智生的狡猾的遁辞词.
zhè jù wèn huà shì yī zhǒng qióng jí zhì shēng de jiǎo huá de dùn cí cí.
The question was a quick, shrewd parry.
2
他吃, 他喝, 他嫖,他赌, 他懒, 他狡猾,因为他没了心,他的心被人家摘了去.
tā chī, , tā, hē ,, tā piáo, , tā, dǔ , tā, lǎn , tā jiǎo huá ,, yīn wéi tā méi le xīn , tā de.
He ate, drank, whored, gambled, lazed around and schemed because he no longer had a conscience.
There are plenty of fish in the river, and good baits on my line, but the fish are getting clever and refuse to rise to the
Cultural Notes for 狡猾
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being called 狡猾 can reflect a negative judgment, akin to calling someone a 'sneaky' individual. This term is often used in fables and stories where characters embody cunning traits, highlighting moral lessons about honesty.
Frequently Asked Questions about 狡猾
Yes, it typically carries a negative connotation, implying deceitfulness or untrustworthiness.
While you can describe a strategy as '狡猾', it suggests the strategy is clever but potentially dishonest.
Synonyms include 机智 (jī zhì, witty) or 精明 (jīng míng, shrewd), but these have more positive meanings.
