嘶吼 (sī hǒu) — to yell; to shout (with a harsh or hoarse voice)

Definition

To shout or yell with a hoarse, rough voice (from anger, pain, or excitement), or for an animal/wind to roar. Stronger and rougher than 叫 or 喊.

verb
to yellto shout (with a harsh or hoarse voice)

Examples

  • 嘶吼，。
    Tā fèn nù dì sī hǒu zhe, shēng yīn dōu yǎ le.
    He yelled angrily until his voice went hoarse.
  • ，嘶吼。
    Kuáng fēng hū xiào, xiàng yě shòu zài sī hǒu.
    The gale howled like a wild beast roaring.
  • 嘶吼，。
    Tái xià fěn sī fēng kuáng sī hǒu, wèi tā jiā yóu.
    The fans in the audience were screaming wildly, cheering him on.

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.

嘶sīhoarse
吼hǒushout

“嘶” (hoarse) and “吼” (shout) combine: a shout made with a hoarse voice.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
斯
斯sī嘶sī
Same sound today

The shape of 嘶 puts 口 (mouth) next to 斯, which gives the sound.

Open 嘶 →

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

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.

Open 吼 →

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