How many strokes does the Chinese character "虎" (hǔ) have?
"虎" has 8 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 虎, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 8 strokes
Speed:
Strength & Mythic Symbols
Name: Use with Caution
Tattoo: Safe & Classic
虎 Tiger in Chinese (hǔ)
Dictionary Summary
虎 (hǔ) means tiger; CL:隻|只[zhi1]. Simplified form has 8 strokes under radical 虎.
Pinyin & Tonehǔ (Tone 3)
Simplified / Trad.虎 / 虎
Radical虎
Total Strokes8 strokes
StructureTop-Left Wrap (虍 + 几)
Unicode / LevelU+864E · HSK 3
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “虎” in a Chinese Name · Use with Caution (Masculine-leaning)
Wait before choosing 虎 for a formal Chinese name—names like 小虎 or 虎子 sound like playful childhood nicknames or village nicknames rather than refined adult names.
✒️ Using “虎” for a Tattoo · Safe & Classic
Represents fierce courage and protective power; traditional brush calligraphy of 虎 has bold, dramatic sweep.
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Pictograph of a striped tiger with open jaws and crouching legs.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 虎 / 虎 | hǔ | tiger; CL:隻|只[zhi1] |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “虎”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 老虎 | lǎohǔ | tiger | |
| 龙腾虎跃 | lóngténg-hǔyuè | vigorous and dynamic energy | |
| 虎将 | hǔjiàng | fearless general |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "虎" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Use with Caution (Masculine-leaning). Wait before choosing 虎 for a formal Chinese name—names like 小虎 or 虎子 sound like playful childhood nicknames or village nicknames rather than refined adult names.
Is "虎" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Safe & Classic. Represents fierce courage and protective power; traditional brush calligraphy of 虎 has bold, dramatic sweep.