哀 Stroke Order — How to Write 哀
哀 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 口, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
哀 Radical and Character Components
哀 is a phono-semantic compound: 口 (mouth) carries the meaning, while 衣 indicates the sound.
Radical: 口 + 6 more strokes
哀 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- āi
Meanings of 哀 in Chinese
1
āi哀
To feel or express sorrow, grief, or lamentation; to mourn or pity.
面对生活中的不幸，他常常独自哀叹
Facing misfortunes in life, he often laments alone.
To mourn or express grief for the deceased, as in '哀悼' (to mourn) or '默哀' (to observe a moment of silence in mourning).
在追悼会上，大家默哀三分钟。
At the memorial service, everyone observed three minutes of silence.
In ancient times, '哀' (āi) refers to a deceased mother, particularly in terms like '哀子' (āi zǐ), which denotes a son mourning a parent's death, especially his mother's.
他以哀子的身份，在母亲的葬礼上致悼词。
As a son in mourning, he delivered the eulogy at his mother's funeral.
Common Words and Phrases with 哀
1
An army burning with righteous indignation is bound to win; a desperate army will fight to win.
在季后赛中，那支不被看好的篮球队，队员们都怀着哀兵必胜的信念，最终逆转强敌，夺得了冠军。
In the playoffs, that underdog basketball team, with all its members holding the belief that a desperate army is bound to win, finally overcame a strong opponent and clinched the championship.
2
melancholy and sorrow
傍晚时分，窗外传来一阵悠扬的琴声，带着淡淡的哀愁，让人心头一颤
In the evening, a melodic piano tune drifted from outside the window, carrying a hint of melancholy that made one's heart stir.
3
An elegy, a written piece lamenting or commemorating the deceased.
他为已故的老师写了一篇深情的哀辞。
He wrote a heartfelt eulogy for his deceased teacher.
4
to mourn or express grief for someone's death
我们对逝去的亲人表达深切的哀悼。
We express our deep mourning for our departed loved ones.
5
sentimental but not mawkish
他的画作常常流露出一种哀而不伤的意境，在淡淡的忧郁中蕴含着对生命的热爱。
His paintings often convey a mood of 'grief without being overly distressed,' embodying a deep love for life amidst a subtle melancholy.
6
To beg piteously; to supplicate.
小男孩哀告母亲，希望她能再给自己讲一个睡前故事。
The little boy pleaded with his mother, hoping she would tell him one more bedtime story.
7
To wail with grief or sorrow.
听到噩耗，她不禁失声哀号。
Upon hearing the tragic news, she began to wail uncontrollably.
8
The land is full of starving people and disaster victims.
那场洪水过后，农田被淹，房屋倒塌，哀鸿遍野，幸存者们陷入绝望。
After that flood, farmland was submerged, houses collapsed, and the land was filled with the cries of the suffering; the survivors fell into despair.
9
A self-appellation used by an empress dowager or empress after her husband's death, typically found in historical Chinese novels and dramas.
哀家今日身体不适，早些歇息吧。
I, the grieving empress dowager, am not feeling well today, so I shall retire early.
10
To feel pity for; to commiserate.
他对那些生活困苦的人总是心怀哀矜。
He always feels pity for those living in hardship.
11
funeral music; dirge
在葬礼上，哀乐低回，寄托着人们对逝者的深深思念。
At the funeral, mournful music resonated, carrying people's deep remembrance for the departed.
12
sorrowful and mournful
她听到噩耗后，脸上流露出难以言喻的哀戚。
After hearing the bad news, an unspeakable sorrow showed on her face.
13
A memorial article or eulogy for the deceased, often attached to an obituary, recounting their life and deeds.
在讣告刊登后，家属附上了哀启，深情追忆了王教授在学术和教育领域的光辉一生。
After the obituary was published, the family attached a letter of remembrance, fondly recalling Professor Wang's distinguished life in academia and education.
14
To beg humbly and piteously; entreat; implore.
她哀求医生救救她的孩子。
She pleaded with the doctor to save her child.
More words with 哀
- mò默āi哀Moment of silence, Observe a moment of silence
- bēi悲āi哀sorrow or grief; sad or mournful
- zhì志āi哀To mourn, To express condolences
- jié节āi哀My condolences., Please accept my deepest sympathies.
- jǔ举āi哀mourn, observe mourning
- qī凄āi哀mournful, sorrowful
- zhì致āi哀Express condolences, Offer condolences
- āi哀sī思Grief, Mourning
- gū孤āi哀zǐ子a son who has lost both parents
- āi哀kěn恳entreaty, plead
- āi哀tàn叹lament, bemoan
- āi哀zǐ子mourning son, bereaved parent
- āi哀háo嚎wail, howl
- āi哀shāng伤sorrow, grief
- āi哀tòng痛grief, sorrow
- āi哀yōu忧sorrow, grief
- āi哀dào悼zhī之qíng情Grief, Mourning
- āi哀shāng伤bù不yǐ已deeply saddened, inconsolable
- jǔ举guó国āi哀dào悼National mourning, A nation in mourning
Idioms with 哀
- āi哀āi哀yù欲jué绝profoundly sorrowful and on the verge of collapse
- āi哀hóng鸿biàn遍dì地widespread suffering and displaced starving people
- āi哀shēng声tàn叹qì气sigh in grief or dejection
- āi哀sī思rú如cháo潮overwhelming sorrow like a surging tide
- āi哀tòng痛yù欲jué绝overwhelmed with grief
- gào告āi哀qǐ乞lián怜plead for mercy and help
- jié节āi哀shùn顺biàn变temper sorrow, accept change
- qǐ乞āi哀gào告lián怜beg for pity and mercy
- shēng生róng荣sǐ死āi哀honored in life, mourned in death
- wū呜hū呼āi哀zāi哉Alas, all is lost
- xǐ喜nù怒āi哀lè乐all human emotions
- āi哀gǎn感tiān天dì地profound sorrow that moves heaven and earth
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Open the tool →Questions about 哀
What does 哀 mean in Chinese?
哀 (āi) means “In ancient times” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 哀?
哀 is pronounced āi in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 哀 have?
哀 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 哀?
哀 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 口. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 哀?
The radical of 哀 is 口, and 哀 is a phono-semantic compound.