喝 from HSK Level 1 Vocabulary List

The Chinese character 喝 (hē) for "to drink" is composed of two parts: the radical 口 (kǒu) for "mouth" and the phonetic component 合 (hé). The radical 口 indicates that the character is related to the mouth, while the phonetic component 合 provides a hint about its pronunciation.The original form of 喝 was 咶, which was a pictograph of a person with a large mouth drinking from a cup. Over time, the character evolved into its current form, 喝. The addition of the radical 口 further emphasizes the connection between the character and the mouth, while the phonetic component 合 helps to distinguish it from other characters with similar pronunciations.The character 喝 has several meanings, including "to drink," "to shout," and "to scold." In the context of drinking, 喝 can be used to describe the act of drinking a liquid, such as water, tea, or alcohol. It can also be used to refer to the sound of drinking, such as the gurgling sound of someone drinking from a bottle.In the context of shouting, 喝 can be used to describe the act of making a loud noise, such as a shout of joy or a shout of anger. It can also be used to refer to the sound of shouting, such as the roar of a crowd or the bark of a dog.In the context of scolding, 喝 can be used to describe the act of reprimanding someone, such as a parent scolding a child or a teacher scolding a student. It can also be used to refer to the sound of scolding, such as the sharp tone of a parent or the angry voice of a teacher.Overall, the character 喝 is a versatile character with several meanings and uses. Its structure, composed of the radical 口 and the phonetic component 合, provides insights into its pronunciation and meaning, making it an interesting character to study for HSK learners.