吵 chǎo to argue
to argue; to dispute; to quarrel; noisy
How to remember 吵: 口 mouth + 少 few = to argue. Two brothers open their mouths wide because only a few fries are left, and they start to argue.
Component breakdown
吵 = 口 mouth + 少 few
- 口 mouth
- 少 few
Two brothers open their mouths wide because only a few fries are left, and they start to argue.
How it is used
- Verb "to quarrel, argue": 吵架 chǎojià (verb-object, "to have a fight") is extremely common for describing disputes between couples, friends, or family - 我们吵架了 (wǒmen chǎojià le) - "we had a fight".
- 争吵 zhēngchǎo is a more formal/written synonym for bickering or quarreling.
- 吵 also works as an adjective meaning "noisy": 太吵了 (tài chǎo le) - "too noisy" - for complaining about environmental noise, distinct from 闹 nào which implies chaotic, rowdy commotion rather than just volume.