怒吼 (nù hǒu) — to roar or howl (in anger) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A vivid verb for an angry roar or howl, used for animals, people, and storms. Carries a stronger sense of rage than 喊 (shout) or 叫 (cry out).

verb

to roar or howl (in anger)

Examples

怒吼，。
Shī zi fèn nù dì nù hǒu, shēng yīn hěn dà.
The lion roared angrily, the sound was very loud.
怒吼：“！”
Tā nù hǒu zhe shuō: "bù xíng!"
He roared, "No!"
怒吼，。
Dà fēng nù hǒu zhe, ràng rén hài pà.
The strong wind howled, making people scared.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

怒 brings anger to 吼, so the word means to roar in anger.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

心奴怒

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

奴

奴nú怒nù

Same sound today

怒 pairs 心 (heart) with 奴, which is used for its sound rather than its meaning of slave.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

口孔吼

Meaning part形符xíngfú

口口kǒumouth

Sound part声符shēngfú

孔

孔kǒng吼hǒu

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

吼 combines 口 (mouth) with 孔, which gives the character its sound. The mouth part shows the roar or growl is made by the mouth.

Appears in

Communication & Speech Emotions & Feelings

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