(particle) marker of surprise, sudden realization, reminder
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #497, Hard
喔
ō
oh
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #497, Hard
喔
wo
onomatopoetic, the sound of crowing or crying
e, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #497, Hard
喔
wo
I see
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #497, Hard
喔
wo
(particle) marker of surprise, sudden realization, reminder
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #497, Hard
喔
wo
oh
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #497, Hard
ō(o1)
primary
T1
1onomatopoetic, the sound of crowing or crying
2I see
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March 24, 2026
喔ō(o1)
The character 喔 (ō) is an onomatopoetic expression that mimics sounds such as crowing or crying. It is often used as a particle to convey surprise, realization, or acknowledgment in conversation, similar to saying 'oh' in English when one understands something or reacts to new information.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#497DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise or realization is often accompanied by a change in tone or body language, which can be more pronounced than in some Western cultures. The use of 喔 can reflect a more expressive conversational style.
Memory Tip
Think of the sound you make when you suddenly realize something, like a light bulb moment. The character 喔 looks like a person with their mouth open, exclaiming in surprise or understanding, as if saying 'Oh!' in realization.
Meanings of 喔
ō(o1)
primary
1onomatopoetic, the sound of crowing or crying
2I see
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 喔
喔Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
叹词tàncíinterjection (interj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 喔
Podcast: 喔
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AI Study Notes for 喔
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the sound you make when you suddenly realize something, like a light bulb moment. The character 喔 looks like a person with their mouth open, exclaiming in surprise or understanding, as if saying 'Oh!' in realization.
Usage Notes
喔 is generally informal and can be used in casual conversations. Be careful not to overuse it in formal writing or speeches. It often collocates with other particles or phrases expressing surprise or understanding, such as '原来' (yuánlái, it turns out).
HSK Study Tips
While 喔 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 2 and 3, where expressions of surprise and acknowledgment are common. Students should focus on contextual usage in dialogues and listening practice to recognize its sound and meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise or realization is often accompanied by a change in tone or body language, which can be more pronounced than in some Western cultures. The use of 喔 can reflect a more expressive conversational style.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 喔 with 哦 (ó), which has a similar sound but is used to soften statements rather than express surprise. For example, saying '我喔知道' (wǒ ō zhīdào) is incorrect; it should be '我哦知道' (wǒ ó zhīdào) to convey 'Oh, I see.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 喔
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Practice writing 喔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 喔
喔 functions as an interjection — a standalone exclamation. It typically opens the sentence (啊！哎呀！) and is set off by a pause or comma. 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 5
Complete the Sentence
____，干得好，大侦探。你全是自己推断出来的吗？
Oh, well done, Sherlock. Did you figure that out all by yourself?
Oh, well done, Sherlock. Did you figure that out all by yourself?
2
我姐姐老拧我，好痛喔。
wǒ jiě jiě lǎo níng wǒ， ， hǎo tòng。
My sister's always pinching me and it really hurts.
3
喔, 你的姓用英语怎么拼写?
ō, , nǐ de xìng yòng yīng yǔ zěn mó pīn?
Well, how do you spell your family name in English?
4
( 山普拉斯 看起来很棒, 喔,我的天, 他真是个大帅哥. )
( ( shān pǔ lā sī kàn qǐ lái, hěn, bàng , ō, , wǒ de tiān , tā zhēn.)
A : Sampras looks pretty good. Oh my God, he is such a stud.
Cultural Notes for 喔
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise or realization is often accompanied by a change in tone or body language, which can be more pronounced than in some Western cultures. The use of 喔 can reflect a more expressive conversational style.
Word Family of 喔
Words Containing This Character1
喔ōoh
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 喔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 喔
Use 喔 when you want to express surprise or realization in response to something someone says.
No, 喔 is primarily used in informal spoken language and should be avoided in formal contexts.
Yes, it can be used at the beginning to express surprise, but it should flow naturally with the rest of the sentence.
