How do you pronounce 丑?

丑 is pronounced "chǒu" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 丑?

丑 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 丑?

Common words with 丑 include 出丑 (shameful), 丁丑 (fourteenth year D2 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1997 or 2057), 丑时 (1-3 am (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)), 丑牛 (Year 2, year of the Bull or Ox (e.g. 2009)), 丑角 (clown role in opera).

How do you write 丑?

You can practice writing 丑 using our stroke order tool.

丑 (chǒu), clown

Q: What does 丑 mean in Chinese?

丑 (chǒu) means "clown; 2nd earthly branch: 1-3 a.m., 12th solar month (6th January to 3rd February), year of the Ox; ancient Chinese compass point: 30°" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

丑

chǒu

clown; 2nd earthly branch: 1-3 a.m., 12th solar month (6th January to 3rd February), year of the Ox; ancient Chinese compass point: 30°

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Radical: 一 (no. 1)

View stroke order →

Definitions

clown
2nd earthly branch: 1-3 a.m., 12th solar month (6th January to 3rd February), year of the Ox
ancient Chinese compass point: 30°

Example Sentences

不要因为别人的外表丑陋而嘲笑他们。

Búyào yīnwèi biérén de wàibiǎo chǒuló ér cháoxiào tāmen

Don't mock people because of their ugly appearance

Words Containing 丑

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
出丑	chū chǒu	shameful	HSK 7-9
丁丑	dīng chǒu	fourteenth year D2 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1997 or 2057
丑时	chǒu shí	1-3 am (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)
丑牛	chǒu niú	Year 2, year of the Bull or Ox (e.g. 2009)
丑角

Related Words

子(zǐ)· son

→

亥(hài)· 12th earthly branch: 9-11 p.m., 10th solar month (7th November-6th December), year of the Boar

→

午(wǔ)· 7th earthly branch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., noon, 5th solar month (6th June-6th July), year of the Horse

→

卯(mǎo)· mortise (slot cut into wood to receive a tenon)

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 5 list

丑: HSK 5 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 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 丑 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 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.