咷

táo

howl, cry loudly

Meaning

A loud, open-mouthed vocalization; to howl or cry out loudly.

Grammar and usage

Primarily functions as a verb describing a literal acoustic event.

Distinctions

Typically denotes an involuntary or high-intensity sound, such as a cry of horror, rage, or extreme anguish. Distinguish from 哭 (standard weeping or sobbing) and 號 (formal wailing or ritualized lamentation).

History and forms

Semantic variant: 啕 (U+5555). In various manuscripts, these may be used interchangeably to denote the same "loud howl."

Graphical notes

Combines 口 (mouth) with 旡 (originally depicting a yawn or an expression of dissatisfaction/disgust), suggesting a visceral, raw quality characterized by a gaping maw.

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.