Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
汹涌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
汹涌xiōngyǒngto surge up violently (of ocean, river, lake etc)HSK 7, v, rank #16550, Hard
汹涌xiōngyǒngturbulentHSK 7, v, rank #16550, Hard
xiōngyǒng(xiong1yong3) T1
  1. 1to surge up violently (of ocean, river, lake etc)
  2. 2turbulent
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
汹涌(洶湧)xiōngyǒng(xiong1yong3)

汹涌 describes a powerful, turbulent surge often associated with bodies of water like oceans and rivers. It conveys a sense of violent motion and can also be metaphorically used to describe chaotic situations or emotions, such as a storm of feelings or overwhelming events.

Frequency#16550DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese literature and poetry,汹涌 is frequently used to describe the overwhelming power of nature, reflecting the cultural appreciation for the majesty and danger of water bodies, which are often seen as symbols of life and challenge.

Memory Tip

Imagine a massive wave (汹) crashing down with an intense roar (涌) that shakes the shore. Picture the 'xiong' sounding like 'strong' to remind you of the strong, violent nature of the surge, and 'yong' as in 'yonder', indicating the wave coming from afar.

Meanings of 汹涌

xiōngyǒng(xiong1yong3)
1to surge up violently (of ocean, river, lake etc)
2turbulent
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 汹涌

汹涌Simplified
洶湧Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16550Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 汹涌

JasonAmy

Podcast: 汹涌

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 汹涌

Quick Contrast

汹涌 (xiōngyǒng) vs 波涛 (bōtāo) — choose 汹涌 for turbulent, violent motion versus 波涛 for large, rolling waves.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a massive wave (汹) crashing down with an intense roar (涌) that shakes the shore. Picture the 'xiong' sounding like 'strong' to remind you of the strong, violent nature of the surge, and 'yong' as in 'yonder', indicating the wave coming from afar.

Usage Notes

汹涌 is often used in literary or dramatic contexts to evoke vivid imagery. Common collocations include terms related to natural disasters or emotional turbulence. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations, as it carries a more formal tone.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 6, students should focus on the nuances of汹涌 in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Connecting it with other vocabulary related to nature and emotions can enhance understanding and usage.

Cultural Note

In Chinese literature and poetry,汹涌 is frequently used to describe the overwhelming power of nature, reflecting the cultural appreciation for the majesty and danger of water bodies, which are often seen as symbols of life and challenge.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse汹涌 with calmer terms like平静 (píngjìng, calm), using it incorrectly to describe peaceful waters. Instead, remember that汹涌 conveys a sense of chaos and intensity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 汹涌

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 汹涌 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

汹xiōngtorrential rush
7 strokes氵
View full entry
涌chōngto bubble up
HSK 710 strokes氵
View full entry

Write 汹涌

汹
涌

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 汹涌

汹涌 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 2 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

有时海上波涛____，她就会晕船。

It was quite rough at times, and she was seasick.

Example Sentences for 汹涌 (7)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
有时海上波涛汹涌，她就会晕船。

yǒu shí hǎi shàng bō tāo xiōng yǒng， ， tā jiù huì yùn。

It was quite rough at times, and she was seasick.
2
海浪变得汹涌澎湃，把小船像漂浮的软木塞一样抛来甩去。

hǎi làng biàn dé xiōng yǒng péng pài， ， bǎ xiǎo chuán xiàng piāo fú de ruǎn mù sāi yī yàng pāo lái shuǎi。

The seas grew turbulent, tossing the small boat like a cork.
3
一艘捕鱼船和一艘货船在波涛汹涌的海上相撞了。

yī sōu bǔ yú chuán hé yī sōu huò chuán zài bō tāo xiōng yǒng de hǎi shàng xiāng zhuàng le。

A fishing vessel and a cargo ship collided in rough seas.
4
甚至近海1英里处就有向西涌动的汹涌潮水。

shèn zhì jìn hǎi1 1 yīng lǐ chǔ jiù yǒu xiàng xī yǒng dòng de xiōng yǒng cháo。

There is a strong west-going tide, even one mile offshore.
5
汹涌的车流现在已经变得稀稀拉拉。

xiōng yǒng de chē liú xiàn zài yǐ jīng biàn dé xī xī lā lā。

The flood of cars has now slowed to a trickle.
6
鱼和海藻浮起来，在汹涌的水流中动弹不得。

yú hé hǎi zǎo fú qǐ lái， ， zài xiōng yǒng de shuǐ liú zhōng dòng dàn bù。

Fish and seaweed rose, caught motionless in the surging water.
7
汹涌的波涛猛烈地冲击着礁岸.

xiōng yǒng de bō tāo měng liè dì chōng jī zháo jiāo àn.

The foaming waves chafe against the rocky shore.

Cultural Notes for 汹涌

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese literature and poetry,汹涌 is frequently used to describe the overwhelming power of nature, reflecting the cultural appreciation for the majesty and danger of water bodies, which are often seen as symbols of life and challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions about 汹涌

Yes,汹涌 can metaphorically describe turbulent emotions, similar to how one might describe feelings as 'boiling over' in English.