萧 Stroke Order — How to Write 萧
萧 is written in 12 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 艹, 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.
萧 Radical and Character Components
萧 is a phono-semantic compound: 肃 (solemn) carries the meaning, while 艹 indicates the sound.
Radical: 艹 + 8 more strokes
萧 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xiāo
Meanings of 萧 in Chinese
1
xiāo萧
When pronounced "xiāo", 萧 can refer to mugwort or artemisia.
这片土地上，萧草丛生
On this piece of land, mugwort grows abundantly.
Describes a scene or atmosphere that is desolate, bleak, withered, or lifeless, often suggesting a lack of vitality or activity.
秋风吹过，落叶满地，一片萧瑟的景象。
The autumn wind blew, and fallen leaves covered the ground, presenting a bleak and desolate scene.
Onomatopoeic word, describing the sound of wind or horse neighs, often conveying a desolate or mournful atmosphere.
秋风萧萧，落叶满地，平添几分寂寥。
The rustling autumn wind and fallen leaves add a touch of desolation to the scene.
When pronounced 'xiāo', it refers to '萧墙' (xiāoqiáng), which originally meant a screen wall but is metaphorically used to signify internal affairs or within one's own household/group, as in '祸起萧墙' (trouble starts from within).
公司内部的矛盾日益加剧，令人担忧祸起萧墙
The internal conflicts within the company are intensifying, leading to concerns that trouble might arise from within.
A Chinese surname, for example, Xiao Tong (蕭統) was a prince and literary figure of the Southern Liang dynasty.
萧然是我的大学同学，我们经常一起讨论文学作品。
Xiao Ran is my university classmate; we often discuss literary works together.
Common Words and Phrases with 萧
1
Xiao He (?—193 BC) was a prominent statesman and Prime Minister to Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, known for his crucial logistical support during the Chu-Han Contention and his pivotal role in establishing the foundational laws and administrative systems of the Western Han Dynasty.
在刘邦建立汉朝的过程中，萧何以其卓越的行政才能和深谋远虑发挥了关键作用。
During Liu Bang's establishment of the Han dynasty, Xiao He played a crucial role with his outstanding administrative abilities and foresight.
2
A screen wall (historically, facing a palace gate); metaphorically, it refers to internal affairs or conflicts within an organization or family, as in the idiom 'trouble arises from within' (祸起萧墙).
这家公司的祸起萧墙，内部管理混乱是主要原因。
The company's internal troubles, starting from within, were mainly due to chaotic internal management.
3
Natural and unrestrained in manner and conduct; elegant and unconventional.
他为人萧洒，不拘泥于世俗的规矩，活出了自己的风格。
He is a free-spirited person, not confined by worldly rules, living life in his own unique style.
4
Describes the rustling sound of wind, especially in autumn, or a desolate and bleak landscape.
秋风吹过，树叶发出萧骚的声音。
As the autumn wind swept through, the leaves gave off a rustling sound.
5
Desolate and bleak, often referring to the rustling sound of autumn wind and dry leaves.
秋风拂过，田野间传来草木萧瑟的声响，预示着冬日的临近。
The autumn wind swept through, and the desolate rustling sound of plants echoed across the fields, signaling the approach of winter.
6
Sparse and desolate; thinly scattered.
入秋后，园中花草渐显萧疏，一片寂寥
As autumn set in, the flowers and plants in the garden gradually appeared sparse and scattered, presenting a scene of desolation.
7
bleak and desolate
秋风萧索，落叶满地，一片寂寥。
The autumn wind was bleak and desolate, with fallen leaves scattered everywhere, creating a scene of utter loneliness.
8
Desolate, bleak, or characterized by economic depression.
随着冬季的到来，曾经热闹的公园也变得一片萧条
With the arrival of winter, the once lively park also became desolate.
9
Xiāoxiāo (萧萧) describes: 1. The sound of horses whinnying or neighing. 2. The sound of wind soughing or whistling. 3. A desolate or bleak appearance. 4. Sparse or thin (especially white hair).
寒风萧萧，树影婆娑，夜晚的山林显得格外寂寥。
The bleak wind rustled, tree shadows danced, making the mountain forest particularly desolate at night.
More words with 萧
- xiāo萧rán然desolate, lonely
- xiāo萧cǎo草Artemisia, Wormwood
- xiāo萧xíng行Xiao Xing
- jīng经jì济xiāo萧tiáo条recession, economic depression
- qiū秋fēng风xiāo萧sè瑟Bleak autumn wind, Rustling autumn wind
- yí一piàn片xiāo萧tiáo条desolation, bleakness
Idioms with 萧
- xiāo萧guī规cáo曹suí随follow predecessor's established rules
- xiāo萧qiáng墙zhī之huò祸internal strife or trouble
- fēng风yǔ雨xiāo萧tiáo条bleak and desolate in wind and rain
- huò祸qǐ起xiāo萧qiáng墙Trouble arises from within
- shēn身hòu后xiāo萧tiáo条family desolate and impoverished after one's death
- xiāo萧fǔ斧zhī之zhū诛face gravest legal penalty
- xiāo萧qiáng墙zhī之biàn变internal strife or discord
- xiāo萧qiáng墙zhī之wēi危internal strife or danger
- xiāo萧rán然chén尘wài外Serene beyond the mundane world
- bǎi百yè业xiāo萧tiáo条all industries depressed
- biàn变qǐ起xiāo萧qiáng墙Internal conflict arises
- cǎo草mù木xiāo萧shū疏withered and sparse plants in late autumn
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Open the tool →Questions about 萧
What does 萧 mean in Chinese?
萧 (xiāo) means “When pronounced "xiāo"” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 萧?
萧 is pronounced xiāo in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 萧 have?
萧 has 12 strokes.
How do you write 萧?
萧 is written in 12 strokes, starting from the radical 艹. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 萧?
The radical of 萧 is 艹, and 萧 is a phono-semantic compound.