臭
Character learning workspace

chòu / xiù · to reek, to smell, to stink

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 5HSK 3.0 · Level 5Frequency #2909
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 臭

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

臭 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

chòu

stench; smelly; to smell (bad)

臭钱chòu qián · dirty money
xiù

sense of smell; smell bad

Step-by-step explorer

See how 臭 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

Loading stroke diagrams…

Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

10Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

自Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 臭 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 臭

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

chòustench; smelly; to smell (bad)
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 臭 sits in each complete thought.

Nǐ shǎo chòu měi le!你少臭美了!

You're full of yourself.

Source: Tatoeba #2153217 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zuì hǎo de yú sān tiān jiù yào fā chòu.最好的鱼三天就要发臭。

The best fish smell when they are three days old.

Source: Tatoeba #842667 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ yǒu kǒu chòu.你有口臭。

You have foul breath.

Source: Tatoeba #810739 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Lā jī xiāng chòu qì xūn tiān.垃圾箱臭气熏天。

The garbage-can gave off a bad smell.

Source: Tatoeba #1394787 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ yīnggāi yòng yí xià chú chòu jì.你应该用一下除臭剂。

You should use a deodorant.

Source: Tatoeba #8936662 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ shǎo chòu měi!你少臭美!

As if!

Source: Tatoeba #2153242 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 臭 in context

  1. Say chòu / xiù, then recall the core meaning: to reek, to smell, to stink.
  2. Write all 10 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 臭钱 (chòu qián), meaning “dirty money”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 臭 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.