噓 meaning and stroke order
To blow, to exhale, to hiss, to sigh; to praise
How to write 噓, stroke by stroke
15 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 噓
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to exhale slowly
- to hiss
- hush!
How 噓 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Mouth.
口 gives the meaning and 虛 hints at the sound.
Radical: 口 (mouth), shared by 428 characters on this site.
How to remember 噓
A mouth 口 on the left lets out air that feels empty, like 虛 (xū, empty) on the right. Think of a mouth breathing out an empty sound, a soft hiss or a long sigh.
噓 (xū) is used for hushing someone, for slow exhaling, and in the common word 吹噓 (chuīxū), to brag. Example: 他總是吹噓自己很有錢。(Tā zǒngshì chuīxū zìjǐ hěn yǒu qián.) He is always bragging about being rich.
Common mistake: Learners often write 虛 (xū, empty) alone and forget the 口 on the left. The two share a sound, but only 噓 with the mouth means to hiss or hush.
Common words with 噓
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 吹噓 | chuīxū | to brag | |
| 噓噓 | xūxū | to pee pee (kiddie or feminine slang) |
Questions about 噓
How many strokes are in 噓?
噓 is written with 15 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 噓 mean?
噓 (xū) means to blow, to exhale, to hiss, to sigh; to praise. A common word with it is 吹嘘 (chuīxū), meaning "to brag".
How do you pronounce 噓?
噓 is pronounced xū, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 噓?
The radical of 噓 is 口, which carries the idea of "mouth". Dictionaries list 噓 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 噓?
噓 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 嘘, used in mainland China and Singapore.
How do you say shh or be quiet in Chinese?
You can simply say 噓 (xū) with a finger to your lips, just like shh in English. It works as an interjection on its own.
Is 嘘嘘 (xūxū) polite to use?
It is a soft, childish way to say pee, mostly used with small children or in playful, cute speech. Avoid it in formal situations and use 上厕所 (shàng cèsuǒ), to go to the restroom, instead.