Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
讥笑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
讥笑jīxiàoto sneerHSK 7, v, rank #24695, Hard
jīxiào(ji1xiao4) T1
  1. 1to sneer
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
讥笑(譏笑)jīxiào(ji1xiao4)

讥笑 (jīxiào) means to mock or sneer at someone, often in a scornful or derisive manner. This term is commonly used in contexts where someone is ridiculed for their actions or beliefs, highlighting a sense of disdain or contempt. It conveys a strong emotional response, often negative, towards the subject being mocked.

Frequency#24695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

讥笑 reflects aspects of Chinese humor and social interaction, where indirect criticism is often preferred over direct confrontation. It is common in literary works and political discourse, where figures of authority might be subject to such ridicule.

Memory Tip

Imagine a jester at a court (the radical 讥 resembles a jester's hat) making fun of a serious king. The jester's laughter (笑) echoes through the halls, representing the sneering tone of 讥笑. Remember 'jī' sounds like 'giddy' and 'xiào' sounds like 'shout' — the giddy jester shouts mockingly at the king.

Meanings of 讥笑

jīxiào(ji1xiao4)
1to sneer
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 讥笑

讥笑Simplified
譏笑Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#24695Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 讥笑

JasonAmy

Podcast: 讥笑

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 讥笑

Quick Contrast

嘲笑 (cháoxiào) - use 讥笑 when emphasizing scornful mockery, while 嘲笑 is more general and can imply playful teasing.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a jester at a court (the radical 讥 resembles a jester's hat) making fun of a serious king. The jester's laughter (笑) echoes through the halls, representing the sneering tone of 讥笑. Remember 'jī' sounds like 'giddy' and 'xiào' sounds like 'shout' — the giddy jester shouts mockingly at the king.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 讥笑, as it carries a strong negative connotation and can be seen as offensive. It's typically used in informal contexts and should be avoided in formal discussions. A common mistake is using it too lightly; it’s not just playful teasing but rather scornful ridicule.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 vocabulary word, 讥笑 connects with other words expressing criticism or humor, such as 嘲笑 (cháoxiào, to ridicule). Focus on the emotional weight of the term and its usage in social contexts to better grasp its implications.

Cultural Note

讥笑 reflects aspects of Chinese humor and social interaction, where indirect criticism is often preferred over direct confrontation. It is common in literary works and political discourse, where figures of authority might be subject to such ridicule.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 讥笑 with joking or light teasing, which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我只是想要讥笑他' (I just want to make fun of him) can come off as too harsh; a softer approach is recommended in many situations.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 讥笑

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 讥笑 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

to ridicule
4 strokes
View full entry
xiàoto smile, to laugh; to giggle; to snicker
HSK 210 strokes
View full entry

Write 讥笑

Practice writing 讥笑 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 讥笑

讥笑 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. 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

那男孩因跛脚被人____, 变得羞怯而压抑.

Having been laughed at for his lameness, the boy became shy and inhibited.

Example Sentences for 讥笑 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那男孩因跛脚被人讥笑, 变得羞怯而压抑.

nà nán hái yīn bǒ jiǎo bèi rén jī xiào, , biàn dé xiū qiè ér yā.

Having been laughed at for his lameness, the boy became shy and inhibited.
2
他们讥笑他穷.

tā mén jī xiào tā qióng.

They taunted him with being poor.

Cultural Notes for 讥笑

🏮Cultural insight

讥笑 reflects aspects of Chinese humor and social interaction, where indirect criticism is often preferred over direct confrontation. It is common in literary works and political discourse, where figures of authority might be subject to such ridicule.

Frequently Asked Questions about 讥笑

No, 讥笑 is typically used in a derogatory sense and is not suitable for friendly banter.