潇 meaning and stroke order
The sound of beating wind and rain
How to write 潇, stroke by stroke
14 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 潇
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (of water) deep and clear
How 潇 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Water.
氵 gives the meaning and 萧 hints at the sound.
Radical: 氵 (water), shared by 467 characters on this site.
How to remember 潇
潇 is water 氵 on the left plus 萧 (xiāo) on the right, which gives the sound. Picture wind-blown rain and clear, deep water making a soft xiāo xiāo sound.
Today 潇 appears mostly in the word 潇洒 (xiāosǎ), which describes someone relaxed, stylish and free-spirited. It also shows up in literary phrases about wind and rain. Example: 他走路的样子很潇洒。(Tā zǒulù de yàngzi hěn xiāosǎ.) He walks with an easy, confident style.
Common mistake: Learners often drop the water radical and write 萧 (xiāo) instead, since the two sound the same. Remember that 潇洒 needs 氵 on both characters: 潇 and 洒.
Common words with 潇
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 潇洒 | xiāosǎ | confident and at ease; free and easy | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 潇
How many strokes are in 潇?
潇 is written with 14 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 潇 mean?
潇 (xiāo) means the sound of beating wind and rain. A common word with it is 潇洒 (xiāosǎ), meaning "confident and at ease; free and easy".
How do you pronounce 潇?
潇 is pronounced xiāo, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 潇?
The radical of 潇 is 氵, which carries the idea of "water". Dictionaries list 潇 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 潇?
The traditional form of 潇 is 瀟. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 潇 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 潇 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 潇 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 潇 and 萧?
Both are read xiāo, but 萧 alone suggests something bleak or desolate, as in 萧条 (xiāotiáo, depressed, slack). 潇 has the water radical and is linked to wind and rain, clear water, and the word 潇洒.
Can 潇洒 describe things other than people?
Yes. It can describe handwriting, a style of writing, or a way of doing things that looks natural and unforced. For example, 字写得很潇洒 means the handwriting is flowing and free.