to complete a winning hand at mahjong (also written 和[hú])
nr, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
胡
hú
>胡同[hú tòng]
nr, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
胡
hú
beard
nr, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
胡
hú
mustache
nr, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
胡
hú
whiskers
nr, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
胡
hú
recklessly, foolishly; wildly
nr, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
胡
hú
to complete a winning hand at mahjong (also written 和[hu2])
unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #3474, Hard
hú(Hu2) T2
1non-Han people, esp. from central Asia
2reckless
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March 24, 2026
胡hú(Hu2)
The character 胡 (hú) primarily serves as a surname, notably 'Hu.' It also describes non-Han ethnic groups, especially those from Central Asia, and conveys meanings related to recklessness or outrageousness. In informal contexts, it can express surprise or confusion, akin to saying 'what?' or 'why?'.
Strokes9Radical⺼Frequency#3474DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The character 胡 is often associated with the 'Hu people,' which historically refers to various non-Han ethnic groups in China, contributing to the rich tapestry of China's cultural diversity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wild man with a big beard (胡) running around recklessly. The character 胡 resembles a beard due to its bushy, sprawling shape, while the sound 'hú' can remind you of someone yelling in surprise or confusion about something outrageous.
Meanings of 胡
hú(Hu2)
1non-Han people, esp. from central Asia
2reckless
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 胡
胡Simplified
9Strokes
⺼Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#3474Frequency Rank
Podcast: 胡
Podcast: 胡
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AI Study Notes for 胡
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wild man with a big beard (胡) running around recklessly. The character 胡 resembles a beard due to its bushy, sprawling shape, while the sound 'hú' can remind you of someone yelling in surprise or confusion about something outrageous.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 胡 in formal situations, as its meanings can vary widely. It is commonly used informally, especially in expressions of disbelief. Note that in some contexts, it can also refer to a winning hand in mahjong, which may cause confusion if not clarified.
HSK Study Tips
Although 胡 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares phonetic similarities with other HSK words. Students should focus on its various meanings and contexts, especially in casual conversation or when discussing ethnicities.
Cultural Note
The character 胡 is often associated with the 'Hu people,' which historically refers to various non-Han ethnic groups in China, contributing to the rich tapestry of China's cultural diversity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 胡 with 和 (hé), mistakenly using it to mean 'and' or 'to complete a winning hand' in mahjong. Instead, remember that 胡 specifically relates to the meanings discussed, while 和 has its distinct usages.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 胡
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Grammar Patterns of 胡
胡 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 13 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
关于我们的报道大都是彻头彻尾的____编乱造。
Much of what has been written about us is out-and-out lies.
Common Confusions with 胡
胡vs湖
hú
Same pronunciation but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "non-Han people, esp. from central Asia"?
or
Example Sentences for 胡 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
关于我们的报道大都是彻头彻尾的胡编乱造。
guān yú wǒ mén de bào dào dà dū shì chè tóu chè wěi de hú biān luàn zào。
Much of what has been written about us is out-and-out lies.
2
他的头发又长又乱，脸上胡子拉碴。
tā de tóu fā yòu cháng yòu luàn， ， liǎn shàng hú zǐ lā。
He had long unkempt hair and a stubbly chin.
3
他头发凌乱，没刮胡子，脸色苍白。
tā tóu fā líng luàn， ， méi guā hú， zǐ ， liǎn sè。
His hair was disheveled, and his face was unshaven and gray.
4
我真蠢，居然被他的胡乱吹嘘给蒙蔽了。
wǒ zhēn chǔn， ， jū rán bèi tā de hú luàn chuī xū gěi mēng bì。
I'd been a fool letting him snow me with his big ideas.
5
他们在烟雾中迷失了方向，向里面胡乱射击了一通。
tā mén zài yān wù zhōng mí shī le fāng xiàng， ， xiàng lǐ miàn hú luàn shè jī le yī。
They were disorientated by the smoke and were firing blindly into it.
6
他下巴上有一小撮胡须。
tā xià bā shàng yǒu yī xiǎo cuō hú xū。
He had a small tuft of hair on his chin.
7
她穿得花里胡哨，这样人人都会对她有印象。
tā chuān dé huā lǐ hú shào， ， zhè yàng rén rén dū huì duì tā yǒu yìn。
She dressed flamboyantly so that everyone would remember her.
8
洛维特是个威严的高个男人，蓄着灰白的八字胡。
luò wéi tè shì gè wēi yán de gāo gè nán rén， ， xù zháo huī bái de bā zì。
Lovett was a tall, commanding man with a waxed gray mustache.
9
他是个白人，留着棕色的齐肩发并蓄着小胡子。
tā shì gè bái rén， ， liú zháo zōng sè de qí jiān fā bìng xù zháo xiǎo hú。
He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache.
10
他喜欢戴金链子，穿花里胡哨的衣服来招人反感。
tā xǐ huān dài jīn liàn zǐ， ， chuān huā lǐ hú shào de yī fú lái zhāo rén fǎn。
He liked to shock with his gold chains and loud clothes.
Cultural Notes for 胡
🏮Cultural insight
The character 胡 is often associated with the 'Hu people,' which historically refers to various non-Han ethnic groups in China, contributing to the rich tapestry of China's cultural diversity.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of ethnic identity is often more rigid and defined, while in China, the term 胡 reflects a broader, more fluid understanding of diverse ethnic groups.
Word Family of 胡
Compounds18
糊hu2variant of 糊[hú]
湖hu2lake
蝴hu2butterfly
瑚hu2coral
葫hu2bottle-gourd
鹕hu2pelican
醐hu2the purest cream
猢hu2a kind of monkey found in western China
餬hu2porridge, gruel, congee; paste
鶘hu2pelican
煳hu2burnt; to char (in cooking)
鶦
媩
楜
箶
鍸
鬍hu2recklessly, foolishly; wildly
鰗
Words Containing This Character20
胡húreckless
胡锦涛Hu Jintao (1942-), General Secretary of the CPC 2002-2012, president of the PRC 2003-2013胡錦濤
胡子húzibeard鬍子
胡说húshuōdrivel胡說
胡萝卜carrot胡蘿蔔
胡说八道to talk rubbish胡說八道
胡扯to chatter
胡闹húnàoto make trouble胡鬧
胡乱húluàncareless胡亂
胡椒pepper
胡同hútònglane
胡言乱语double Dutch胡言亂語
胡须húxūbeard鬍鬚
胡思乱想húsīluànxiǎngto indulge in flights of fancy (idiom)胡思亂想
死胡同dead end
胡话nonsense胡話
胡来to mess with sth胡來
胡桃walnut
胡萝卜素carotene胡蘿蔔素
胡适Hu Shi (1891-1962), original proponent of writing in colloquial Chinese 白話文|白话文[báihuàwén]胡適
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 糊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 胡
In mahjong, 胡 (Hú) signifies completing a winning hand. The term is essential for players, as declaring '胡' indicates that a player has won. Understanding this term is crucial for participating in the game effectively.
Several phrases incorporate 胡. For instance, '胡说' (Hú shuō) means 'to talk nonsense', while '胡闹' (Hú nào) translates to 'to make a scene' or 'to act recklessly'. These expressions highlight the character's connotation of recklessness or absurdity.
You can use 胡 in various contexts depending on its meaning. For example, when referring to the surname, you might say '他姓胡' (Tā xìng Hú), meaning 'His surname is Hu.' To express disbelief, you might say '胡说!' (Hú shuō!), which translates to 'Nonsense!' This shows the flexible usage of the character in everyday conversation.
胡 (Hú) can mean several things in Chinese. It is a common surname, often pronounced as 'Hu'. Additionally, it can describe someone as reckless or outrageous, and it is also used in expressions like 'what?' or 'why?'. In the context of mahjong, it refers to completing a winning hand.
In casual conversations, 胡 can express surprise or confusion, similar to saying 'What?' in English.
No, 胡 has multiple meanings, including describing ethnicities and expressing recklessness.
