Chinese Character: 晃
1. Character Basics
Radical: 日 (rì) - Sun radical
Stroke Count: 10 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Huǎng (Third tone) / Huàng (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Pronunciation: Huǎng (Third tone)
Basic Meaning: Shine; dazzle; flash; glitter;晃眼 (huǎngyǎn) - to dazzle the eyes
Extended Meanings:
- To appear suddenly or briefly
- To cause confusion or disorientation
- To pass quickly
Pronunciation: Huàng (Fourth tone)
Basic Meaning: To shake; to sway; to rock; to move back and forth
Extended Meanings:
- To wave; to brandish
- To stir; to mix
Additional Notes: This character has two different pronunciations with distinct meanings. Huǎng (third tone) is often related to light or vision, while huàng (fourth tone) is related to movement.
4. Common Words
- 晃眼 (huǎng yǎn) - To dazzle the eyes; glaring
Example: 强烈的阳光很晃眼。 (Qiángliè de yángguāng hěn huǎngyǎn.) - The strong sunlight is very glaring.
- 晃动 (huàng dòng) - To shake; to sway; to rock
Example: 地震时地面在晃动。 (Dìzhèn shí dìmiàn zài huàngdòng.) - The ground was shaking during the earthquake.
- 摇晃 (yáo huàng) - To shake; to sway; to wobble
Example: 他喝醉了，走路摇摇晃晃的。 (Tā hēzuì le, zǒulù yáohuàng huǎng de.) - He was drunk and walking unsteadily.
- 晃荡 (huàng dàng) - To shake; to swing; to晃荡 (especially of liquid)
Example: 杯子里的水晃荡出来了。 (Bēizi lǐ de shuǐ huàngdàng chūlái le.) - The water in the cup sloshed out.
- 虚晃 (xū huǎng) - A feint; a false move (in martial arts or sports)
Example: 他虚晃一招，然后迅速进攻。 (Tā xūhuǎng yī zhāo, ránhòu xùnsù jìngōng.) - He made a feint and then attacked quickly.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Verb (both pronunciations)
For Huǎng (Third tone):
Common Usage:
- Used to describe the effect of light on vision
- Often used in expressions related to quick or sudden appearances
Common Structures:
- 晃 + Noun (e.g., 晃眼 - to dazzle the eyes)
- Adverb + 晃 (e.g., 明晃晃 - bright and shining)
- 晃 + 一下 (e.g., 晃一下 - to flash briefly)
For Huàng (Fourth tone):
Common Usage:
- Used to describe back-and-forth movement
- Can be used both literally and figuratively
Common Structures:
- 晃 + Noun (e.g., 晃头 - to shake one's head)
- Noun + 晃 (e.g., 摇头晃脑 - to shake one's head and body)
- 晃 + 来 + 晃 + 去 (e.g., 晃来晃去 - to sway back and forth)
Usage Notes: Pay attention to the tone difference as it completely changes the meaning. Huǎng (third tone) is related to light and quick appearance, while huàng (fourth tone) is related to movement.
6. Cultural Background
Light and Vision in Chinese Culture:
In Chinese culture, the concept of light (related to huǎng pronunciation) is often associated with clarity, understanding, and revelation. Phrases using "晃" in this sense can imply sudden realization or understanding.
Body Language and Movement:
The huàng pronunciation, related to movement, is often used in descriptions of body language. For example, "摇头晃脑" (yáo tóu huàng nǎo - shaking head and brain) describes someone who is self-satisfied or reciting something with rhythm.
Literary and Artistic Usage:
The character "晃" appears in Chinese poetry and literature to describe the play of light or the movement of objects. It adds a dynamic quality to descriptions of natural scenes and human activities.
7. Example Sentence
1. 阳光透过树叶晃得我睁不开眼。 (Yángguāng tòuguò shùyè huǎng de wǒ zhēng bù kāi yǎn.) - The sunlight filtering through the leaves dazzled my eyes.
2. 他晃了晃手中的钥匙，示意我跟他走。 (Tā huàng le huàng shǒuzhōng de yàoshi, shìyì wǒ gēn tā zǒu.) - He shook the keys in his hand, signaling me to follow him.
3. 小船在水面上晃来晃去。 (Xiǎochuán zài shuǐmiàn shàng huàng lái huàng qù.) - The small boat swayed back and forth on the water.
8. Memory Tips
- Component Analysis: '晃' consists of '日' (sun) on the top and '光' (light) on the bottom. Remember it as "sunlight" which can both dazzle (huǎng) and cause things to move (huàng).
- Tone Memory: Remember that the third tone (huǎng) relates to light and vision, while the fourth tone (huàng) relates to movement.
- Word Association: Associate with common words like '晃眼' (dazzling) and '晃动' (shaking) to remember both meanings.
- Sentence Practice: Create simple sentences using both pronunciations to reinforce the difference.
- Visual Imagery: Imagine sunlight reflecting off water (huǎng) and the water itself rippling (huàng).