Definitions

jiào (verb) to call; to be called
jiào (verb) to shout; to yell
jiào (verb) to order; to tell (someone to do something)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 叫 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic component 口 (mouth) on the left, indicating speech or vocalization, and the phonetic component 丩 on the right. Its primary meaning is to shout, cry out, or call, relating directly to forceful vocal use. From this core sense, the meaning extended to include calling someone by name, naming, or ordering. The character also functions commonly as a preposition in passive constructions to mark the agent of an action.

Example Sentences Hide

我的名字小明。

Wǒ de míngzì jiào Xiǎo Míng.

My name is Xiao Ming.

我老师。

Qǐng jiào wǒ lǎoshī.

Please call me teacher.

什么名字?

Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?

What is your name?

不要大声我。

Bùyào dàshēng jiào wǒ.

Don't call me loudly.

我帮忙买东西。

Tā jiào wǒ bāngmáng mǎi dōngxi.

He asked me to help buy things.

妈妈弟弟早点睡觉。

Māma jiào dìdi zǎo diǎn shuìjiào.

Mom told younger brother to sleep early.

老板我们完成报告。

Lǎobǎn jiào wǒmen wánchéng bàogào.

The boss told us to complete the report.

这件事我想起了过去。

Zhè jiàn shì jiào wǒ xiǎngqǐle guòqù.

This matter reminds me of the past.