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March 24, 2026
瞎xiā(xia1)
The character 瞎 (xiā) primarily means 'blind' or 'to be blind,' both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is commonly used to describe actions done recklessly or without clear understanding, often suggesting foolishness or groundlessness in those actions.
Strokes15Radical目Frequency#2404DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 'blind' is often used metaphorically to describe someone who acts without insight or knowledge, which can be seen in traditional sayings and idioms that caution against rash behavior.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with their eyes covered (the character 瞎 looks like a pair of eyes with a 'blindfold') stumbling around and making foolish decisions. The 'xiā' sound can remind you of 'see,' which contrasts with being blind.
Meanings of 瞎
xiā(xia1)
1blind
2groundlessly
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 瞎
瞎Simplified
15Strokes
目Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#2404Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 瞎
Podcast: 瞎
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AI Study Notes for 瞎
Quick Contrast
盲 (máng) refers specifically to 'blindness' in a literal sense, while 瞎 (xiā) carries additional connotations of recklessness or foolishness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person with their eyes covered (the character 瞎 looks like a pair of eyes with a 'blindfold') stumbling around and making foolish decisions. The 'xiā' sound can remind you of 'see,' which contrasts with being blind.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 瞎 with other characters that relate to sight, like 视 (shì, to see). It is often used in informal contexts and can be paired with terms like 瞎说 (xiā shuō, to talk nonsense) to emphasize foolishness. Remember that the tone is important; mispronouncing the tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 瞎 connects with other words relating to perception and understanding. Students should focus on how it can modify verbs to indicate actions taken without thought, such as in 瞎搞 (xiā gǎo, to mess around foolishly).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 'blind' is often used metaphorically to describe someone who acts without insight or knowledge, which can be seen in traditional sayings and idioms that caution against rash behavior.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 瞎 by applying it in overly formal contexts, such as in academic writing. For example, saying 瞎的研究 (xiā de yánjiū) is incorrect; instead, use a more formal term like 无知的 (wúzhī de, ignorant).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瞎
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Grammar Patterns of 瞎
瞎 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
由于揭露此事，他被女神赫拉弄____了眼。
For this revelation he was struck blind by the goddess Hera.
With meetings and phone calls, yesterday was a complete write-off.
Cultural Notes for 瞎
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 'blind' is often used metaphorically to describe someone who acts without insight or knowledge, which can be seen in traditional sayings and idioms that caution against rash behavior.
Word Family of 瞎
Words Containing This Character19
瞎xiāblind
瞎子blind person
瞎说to talk drivel瞎說
瞎扯to talk nonsense
瞎眼to be blind
瞎猜blind guess
黑瞎子black bear
瞎闹to make a scene瞎鬧
黑灯瞎火pitch dark黑燈瞎火
瞎掰to fool around
瞎指挥lit. to direct blindly瞎指揮
瞎忙to putter around
瞎搞to fool around
睁眼说瞎话to talk drivel睜眼說瞎話
抓瞎to be caught unprepared
睁着眼睛说瞎话to talk drivel睜著眼睛說瞎話
瞎吹to boast
瞎子摸象to mistake the part for the whole
熊瞎子bear
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 瞎 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瞎
Yes, 瞎 can refer to someone who is physically blind, but it is more commonly used in metaphorical contexts.
Common phrases include 瞎说 (to talk nonsense) and 瞎搞 (to mess around).
