哄 hōng to coax
to coax; uproar
How to remember 哄: 口 mouth + 共 collectively = to coax. Dad opens his mouth wide like a bird and the whole family collectively cheers, all trying to coax the baby into eating her carrots.
Component breakdown
哄 = 口 mouth + 共 collectively
- 口 mouth
- 共 collectively
- 龷 bacon rashers
- 八 eight
Dad opens his mouth wide like a bird and the whole family collectively cheers, all trying to coax the baby into eating her carrots.
How it is used
- Three readings. hōng = a burst of collective noise - 哄堂大笑 (hōngtáng-dàxiào) the whole room roaring with laughter.
- hǒng = to coax/soothe, or to fool - 哄孩子 (hǒng háizi) to soothe a child, 哄骗 (hǒngpiàn) to hoodwink.
- hòng = an uproar/to jeer - 起哄 (qǐhòng) to heckle or stir up a rowdy scene.