哼

hēng, hng
亨 + 口
HSK 2.0Level 6
HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

hēng (verb) to hum; to croon
hēng (interjection) humph! (expression of displeasure)
hēng (verb) to groan; to snort

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 亨

About

A phono-semantic compound, 哼 combines the mouth radical 口 (kǒu) with the phonetic 亨 (hēng), indicating a sound made with the mouth or breath. It denotes a groan, snort, or hum, and commonly serves as an interjection expressing dissatisfaction, contempt, or suspicion, imitating a sharp nasal exhale. The character can also mean to croon or sing softly to oneself, a low, non-verbal or semi-verbal murmur.

Example Sentences Hide

小明哼了一声。

Xiǎo Míng hēng le yī shēng.

Xiao Ming snorted.

她哼着歌走路。

Tā hēng zhe gē zǒu lù.

She walked while humming a song.

爸爸哼了一首老歌。

Bàba hēng le yī shǒu lǎo gē.

Dad hummed an old song.

他哼了一声，转身离开。

Tā hēng le yī shēng, zhuǎnshēn líkāi.

He snorted and turned to leave.

妹妹哼着欢快的曲子。

Mèimei hēng zhe huānkuài de qǔzi.

Younger sister is humming a cheerful tune.

他哼了几句歌词，但记不全。

Tā hēng le jǐ jù gēcí, dàn jì bù quán.

He hummed a few lines of the lyrics, but couldn't remember them all.

听到这个建议，他冷哼了一声。

Tīng dào zhège jiànyì, tā lěng hēng le yī shēng.

Upon hearing this suggestion, he snorted coldly.

她一边做饭，一边哼着流行的歌曲。

Tā yībiān zuò fàn, yībiān hēng zhe liúxíng de gēqǔ.

She hummed popular songs while cooking.

Related Characters

Component: 亨

烹 脝

Component: 口

中 和 可 后 如 同 只 知 高 问 向 或 加 合

Example Words

嗯哼 哼哧 哼哼唧唧 哼唧 哼唱 哼声