What does 哭 mean in Chinese?

哭 (kū) means "to cry; to weep" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 3.

How do you pronounce 哭?

哭 is pronounced "kū" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 哭?

哭 is an HSK 3 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 3 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 哭?

Common words with 哭 include 哀哭 (to weep in sorrow), 哭喊 (to wail), 哭丧 (to wail at a funeral), 哭泣 (to weep), 哭墙 (Wailing Wall, or Western Wall (Jerusalem)).

How do you write 哭?

哭 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 口. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

哭 (kū), to cry

哭

kū

to cry; to weep

HSK 3verb10 strokes

Character Breakdown

哭 = 口 + 口 + 犬

Two mouths howling like a dog — to cry

Radical: 口 (no. 30)Strokes: 10

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to cry
to weep

Example Sentences

孩子哭了。

Háizi kū le

The child cried

Words Containing 哭

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
哀哭	āi kū	to weep in sorrow
哭喊	kū hǎn	to wail
哭丧	kū sāng	to wail at a funeral
哭泣	kū qì	to weep	HSK 7-9
哭墙	Kū qiáng	Wailing Wall, or Western Wall (Jerusalem)

Related Words

咺(xuǎn)· glorious

→

哀哭(āi kū)· to weep in sorrow

→

哭哭啼啼(kū ku tí tí)· to weep endlessly

→

哭泣(kū qì)· to weep

→

Grammar Notes

As Soon As (一...就)HSK 3

Subject + 一 + Verb₁，(Subject) + 就 + Verb₂

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 3
HSK 2.0: HSK 3
HSK Lord study list: HSK 2 list

哭: HSK 3 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 3 exam

Studying for HSK 3? Keep 哭 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 3 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.