Definitions

táo (bound form) to wail

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

啕 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 口, indicating mouth-related actions, and the phonetic component 匋. It specifically denotes loud crying or wailing, typically stemming from intense grief or pain. This character appears almost exclusively in compounds describing vehement expressions of sorrow, where the 口 radical clearly conveys the vocal and unrestrained nature of the cry.