噪 (zào) - noise & clamor

噪Tone 4

zào ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

噪 · zào

noise;

clamor;

to make noise;

to be noisy.

noiseclamorto make noise

Usage highlights

noiseto clamornoisycacophonyto make an uproarcicada's chirping

Synonyms

  • 吵— to make a noise; to quarrel
  • 喧— noisy; clamorous
  • 闹— noisy; lively

Antonyms

  • 静— quiet; calm
  • 宁— tranquil; peaceful

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The noise from the construction site is unbearable (噪音).
  • The crowd clamored for the performer's return (鼓噪).
  • Please don't make noise in the library (不要喧噪).
  • The cicadas are chirping noisily in the trees (蝉噪).

Collocations

  • noise(噪音)
  • to clamor(鼓噪)
  • noisy(噪杂)
  • cacophony(聒噪)
  • to make an uproar(喧噪)
  • cicada's chirping(蝉噪)

Idioms

  • A clamor of voices(人声噪杂)
  • antithetical to noise(The cry of a bird and the fragrance of a flower (鸟语花香) -)
  • To make a great noise(大噪一时)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese aesthetics, excessive noise is often contrasted with valued states of tranquility and harmony.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing unpleasant or disruptive sounds in nature and human environments.
  • Modern usage is strongly associated with noise pollution and auditory disturbance.

FAQ