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家伙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
家伙jiāhuodomestic animalHSK 7, unknown, rank #266, Hard
家伙jiāhuo(coll.) guyHSK 7, unknown, rank #266, Hard
家伙jiāhuochapHSK 7, unknown, rank #266, Hard
家伙jiāhuoweaponHSK 7, unknown, rank #266, Hard
jiāhuo(jia1huo5) T1
  1. 1domestic animal
  2. 2(coll.) guy
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
家伙(傢伙)jiāhuo(jia1huo5)

The term 家伙 (jiā huǒ) can refer to a domestic animal or colloquially to a 'guy' or 'chap'. In casual conversation, it often implies a sense of familiarity or camaraderie among peers, and can also be used to describe a weapon, emphasizing its informal usage.

Frequency#266DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, using 家伙 to refer to friends or peers reflects the importance of social bonds and camaraderie. It embodies a sense of warmth and familiarity that is cherished in social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a friendly pet (家) that you consider a companion (伙). Picture this pet as a loyal 'guy' that always stands by your side, making it easier to remember that 家伙 refers to both animals and friends.

Meanings of 家伙

jiāhuo(jia1huo5)
1domestic animal
2(coll.) guy
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 家伙

家伙Simplified
傢伙Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#266Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 家伙

JasonAmy

Podcast: 家伙

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AI Study Notes for 家伙

Quick Contrast

家伙 (guy) vs 东西 (thing) — use 家伙 when emphasizing a person or informal connection, while 东西 is more neutral and can refer to objects.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a friendly pet (家) that you consider a companion (伙). Picture this pet as a loyal 'guy' that always stands by your side, making it easier to remember that 家伙 refers to both animals and friends.

Usage Notes

家伙 is often used in informal contexts, so it's best to avoid it in formal situations. A common mistake is using it too literally when referring to people; remember it conveys a sense of familiarity. Typical collocations include '这个家伙' (this guy) or '家伙们' (the guys).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 家伙 connects with other colloquial expressions and informal vocabulary. Students should focus on its nuanced meanings and different contexts of usage, especially in casual conversations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, using 家伙 to refer to friends or peers reflects the importance of social bonds and camaraderie. It embodies a sense of warmth and familiarity that is cherished in social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 家伙 with more formal terms for 'person', leading to awkwardness in conversations. For example, saying '这是我的家伙' (This is my guy) might sound too casual in a formal setting; instead, use '这是我的朋友' (This is my friend).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 家伙

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Component Characters

家jiāhome
HSK 110 strokes宀
View full entry
伙huǒcompanion; group; partner
HSK 56 strokes亻
View full entry

Write 家伙

家
伙

Practice writing 家伙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 家伙

家伙 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这____把事情全都料理妥当了，真是干得不错。

The man did one helluva job getting it all together.

Example Sentences for 家伙 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这家伙把事情全都料理妥当了，真是干得不错。

zhè jiā huǒ bǎ shì qíng quán dū liào lǐ tuǒ dāng le， ， zhēn shì gān dé bù。

The man did one helluva job getting it all together.
2
这家伙据说并不怎么在乎。

zhè jiā huǒ jù shuō bìng bù zěn mó zài hū。

The rap on this guy is that he doesn't really care.
3
这些家伙显然很拿舞厅这事当回事。

zhè xiē jiā huǒ xiǎn rán hěn ná wǔ tīng zhè shì dāng huí shì。

These folks clearly take this ballroom thing very seriously.
4
他是我在棒球场上见过的跑得最快的家伙。

tā shì wǒ zài bàng qiú cháng shàng jiàn guò de pǎo dé zuì kuài de jiā huǒ。

He was the fastest thing I ever saw on a baseball field.
5
这个叫杰克·史密斯的家伙是不是还有个名字叫杰凯尔？

zhè gè jiào jié kè· · shǐ mì sī de jiā huǒ shì bù shì huán yǒu gè míng zì jiào jié kǎi？

This guy, Jack Smith, does he go by the name of Jackal?
6
刚好就在我下方，有个家伙手里拿着那个球。

gāng hǎo jiù zài wǒ xià fāng， ， yǒu gè jiā huǒ shǒu lǐ ná zháo nà gè。

There, directly below me, was a guy holding the ball.
7
电话里有个家伙在唠叨一张飞机票的事情。

diàn huà lǐ yǒu gè jiā huǒ zài lào tāo yī zhāng fēi jī piào de shì qíng。

There was some bloke on the phone waffling about an airline ticket.
8
他确确实实是个老奸巨猾的家伙。

tā què què shí shí shì gè lǎo jiān jù huá de jiā huǒ。

He's a sly old beggar if ever there was one.
9
两个家伙在停车场用球棒袭击了我。

liǎng gè jiā huǒ zài tíng chē cháng yòng qiú bàng xí jī le wǒ。

Two guys jumped me with clubs in the carpark.
10
内心里我觉得他是个非常讨厌的家伙.

nèi xīn lǐ wǒ jué dé tā shì gè fēi cháng tǎo yàn de jiā huǒ.

Underneath I think he's actually a rather nasty piece of work.

Cultural Notes for 家伙

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, using 家伙 to refer to friends or peers reflects the importance of social bonds and camaraderie. It embodies a sense of warmth and familiarity that is cherished in social interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 家伙

No, 家伙 is best reserved for informal situations among friends.