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挥霍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挥霍huīhuòto squander moneyHSK 7, v, rank #12848, Hard
挥霍huīhuòextravagantHSK 7, v, rank #12848, Hard
挥霍huīhuòprodigalHSK 7, v, rank #12848, Hard
挥霍huīhuòfree and easyHSK 7, v, rank #12848, Hard
挥霍huīhuòagileHSK 7, v, rank #12848, Hard
huīhuò(hui1huo4) T1
  1. 1to squander money
  2. 2extravagant
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March 24, 2026
挥霍(揮霍)huīhuò(hui1huo4)

挥霍 (huīhuò) refers to the act of squandering or wastefully spending money, often in a lavish or extravagant manner. It is commonly used to describe behaviors related to financial irresponsibility, where one spends freely without regard to future consequences.

Frequency#12848DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, financial prudence is often valued, and the concept of '挥霍' reflects a societal disdain for wastefulness, especially in the context of family and future security. This notion is deeply tied to traditional values of thriftiness.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person waving their hands (挥) in the air, tossing away money like confetti at a party, symbolizing extravagance and carelessness. The '挥' (wave) connects to the action of carelessly throwing away resources, while '霍' can remind you of a hoard of cash that disappears just as quickly.

Meanings of 挥霍

huīhuò(hui1huo4)
1to squander money
2extravagant
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About 挥霍

挥霍Simplified
揮霍Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#12848Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 挥霍

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Podcast: 挥霍

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AI Study Notes for 挥霍

Quick Contrast

挥霍 (huīhuò) vs 浪费 (làngfèi) — use 挥霍 for extravagant spending, while 浪费 refers to wastefulness in a broader sense, not limited to money.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person waving their hands (挥) in the air, tossing away money like confetti at a party, symbolizing extravagance and carelessness. The '挥' (wave) connects to the action of carelessly throwing away resources, while '霍' can remind you of a hoard of cash that disappears just as quickly.

Usage Notes

This term is typically used in a negative context, so be cautious when using it in formal settings. Common collocations include '挥霍无度' (to squander without restraint) and '挥霍钱财' (to waste money). Make sure to pronounce it correctly as the tones can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, students should connect it with other terms related to money management and financial behavior. Focus on understanding the nuances of extravagance and how it contrasts with terms like '节约' (to save).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, financial prudence is often valued, and the concept of '挥霍' reflects a societal disdain for wastefulness, especially in the context of family and future security. This notion is deeply tied to traditional values of thriftiness.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '挥霍' with '节约' (to save), mistakenly using it in positive contexts. For example, saying '我喜欢挥霍钱' (I like to squander money) instead of recognizing it as a negative trait.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挥霍

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Component Characters

挥huīto wave
HSK 59 strokes扌
View full entry
霍huòsuddenly
16 strokes雨
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Write 挥霍

挥
霍

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Grammar Patterns of 挥霍

挥霍 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 5 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

我有时会头脑发热，____无度。

I can have a brainstorm and be very extravagant.

Example Sentences for 挥霍 (7)

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1
我有时会头脑发热，挥霍无度。

wǒ yǒu shí huì tóu nǎo fā rè， ， huī huò wú。

I can have a brainstorm and be very extravagant.
2
他在18个月的奢靡生活中挥霍了533,000英镑。

tā zài18 18 gè yuè de shē mí shēng huó zhōng huī huò533,000 le 533,000。

He blew £533,000 in an 18-month orgy of spending.
3
这家公司不久就开始挥霍赚来的钱。

zhè jiā gōng sī bù jiǔ jiù kāi shǐ huī huò zhuàn lái de qián。

The firm soon started frittering away the cash it was generating.
4
我兄弟借给我一些钱，全被我拿去挥霍了。

wǒ xiōng dì jiè gěi wǒ yī xiē qián， ， quán bèi wǒ ná qù huī huò。

My brother lent me some money and I went and blew the lot.
5
大部分的钱都被大笔挥霍掉了。

dà bù fēn de qián dū bèi dà bǐ huī huò diào le。

Much of the money was grossly misspent.
6
他继续挥霍无度,直到把钱用光为止.

tā jì xù huī huò wú dù, , zhí dào bǎ qián yòng guāng wéi.

He went on spending lavishly until his money was at the end.
7
他过去很挥霍,结果现在穷了.

tā guò qù hěn huī huò, , jié guǒ xiàn zài qióng.

He was so profuse with his money that he is now poor.

Cultural Notes for 挥霍

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, financial prudence is often valued, and the concept of '挥霍' reflects a societal disdain for wastefulness, especially in the context of family and future security. This notion is deeply tied to traditional values of thriftiness.

Frequently Asked Questions about 挥霍

No, '挥霍' is generally used negatively to describe wastefulness and extravagance.