吼

hǒu
口 + 孔
HSK 2.0Level 6
HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

hǒu (verb) to roar; to howl
hǒu (noun) roar; howl (sound of an animal)

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 孔

About

吼 is a phono-semantic character: the left side is the semantic radical 口 (mouth), which signals that the meaning involves the use of the mouth, voice, or throat. The right side carries the phonetic element 孔 (kǒng), providing the pronunciation. Originally, the character referred to the loud, aggressive roar of large wild animals, particularly predators like lions and tigers. It later came to be applied extensively to humans, describing furious shouting, angry yelling, or howling. In all cases, 吼 captures the intense volume and force of a powerful, unbridled vocal expulsion.

Example Sentences Hide

老虎在森林里吼叫。

Lǎohǔ zài sēnlín lǐ hǒujiào.

The tiger roars in the forest.

观众们兴奋地吼了起来。

Guānzhòng men xīngfèn de hǒu le qǐlái.

The audience roared with excitement.

爸爸生气地吼了他一句。

Bàba shēngqì de hǒu le tā yī jù.

Dad yelled at him angrily.

雷声像巨兽一样怒吼着。

Léishēng xiàng jù shòu yīyàng nùhǒu zhe.

The thunder roared like a giant beast.

内心的痛苦让他只想怒吼。

Nèixīn de tòngkǔ ràng tā zhǐ xiǎng nùhǒu.

The pain inside made him want to roar.

狂风吹过峡谷，发出巨大的吼声。

Kuángfēng chuīguò xiágǔ, fāchū jùdà de hǒu shēng.

The gale blew through the canyon, emitting a tremendous roar.

他忍无可忍，对着不公的社会发出了自己的吼声。

Tā rěn wú kě rěn, duìzhe bù gōng de shèhuì fāchūle zìjǐ de hǒu shēng.

He could bear it no longer and let out his own roar against the unjust society.

指挥官对士兵吼道：“守住阵地！”

Zhǐhuīguān duì shìbīng hǒu dào: “Shǒu zhù zhèndì!”

The commander roared at the soldiers, "Hold your position!"

Related Characters

Component: 口

中 和 可 后 如 同 只 知 高 问 向 或 加 合

Component: 孔

芤 犼

Example Words

吼叫 吼声 嘶吼 怒吼 急吼吼