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Word

通话 (tōng huà) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 6

通话 (tōng huà) is a Chinese word: to talk on the phone. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 通话

动 dòng verb

to talk on the phone

我和妈妈通话了半个小时。

wǒ hé mā ma tōng huà le bàn gè xiǎo shí

I talked on the phone with mom for half an hour.

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Word breakdown

通 tōng — connect, go through, communicate

Words with this character (35)
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话 huà — speech, conversation, talk

Words with this character (25)
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  • 6 普通话 pǔ tōng huà — Mandarin HSK 4
    • 普 universal, common, widespread
    • 通 common, general, accessible to all
    • 话 speech, language, spoken words
    Example

    普通话是中国的官方语言。

    pǔ tōng huà shì zhōng guó de guān fāng yǔ yán

    Mandarin is the official language of China.

  • 7 笑话 xiào hua — joke HSK 4
    • 笑 to laugh
    • 话 about, regarding (verbal complement)
    Example

    他讲了一个很好笑的笑话。

    tā jiǎng le yí gè hěn hǎo xiào de xiào hua

    He told a very funny joke.

  • 8 话剧 huà jù — stage play HSK 4
    • 话 spoken, dialogue (emphasizing spoken performance)
    • 剧 drama, play (the theatrical performance)
    Example

    我们明天去看一场话剧。

    wǒ men míng tiān qù kàn yì chǎng huà jù

    We're going to see a stage play tomorrow.

  • 9 神话 shén huà — myth HSK 5
    • 神 god, deity, divine, supernatural
    • 话 story, tale, narrative
    Example

    他喜欢研究古代神话。

    tā xǐ huan yán jiū gǔ dài shén huà

    He likes to study ancient myths.

  • 10 讲话 jiǎng huà — speech HSK 5
    • 讲 to speak, to deliver
    • 话 words, what is said
    Example

    校长在开学典礼上发表了重要讲话。

    xiào zhǎng zài kāi xué diǎn lǐ shàng fā biǎo le zhòng yào jiǎng huà

    The principal gave an important speech at the opening ceremony.

  • 11 话费 huà fèi — phone bill HSK 5
    • 话 phone (short for telephone)
    • 费 fee, charges, cost
    Example

    我的话费不够了，需要充值。

    wǒ de huà fèi bù gòu le xū yào chōng zhí

    My phone credit is running out, I need to top up.

  • 12 话题 huà tí — topic HSK 5
    • 话 talk, speech, conversation
    • 题 topic, subject, theme
    Example

    这是一个很有趣的话题。

    zhè shì yí gè hěn yǒu qù de huà tí

    This is a very interesting topic.

  • 13 谈话 tán huà — talk HSK 5
    • 谈 to discuss, to speak
    • 话 words, speech, conversation
    Example

    我想和你谈话。

    wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ tán huà

    I want to talk with you.

  • 14 听话 tīng huà — obedient HSK 6
    • 听 to listen
    • 话 words, speech
    Example

    她是一个很听话的孩子。

    tā shì yí ge hěn tīng huà de hái zi

    She is a very obedient child.

  • 15 实话 shí huà — truth HSK 6
    • 实 real, true, genuine
    • 话 words, speech
    Example

    说实话，我不太喜欢这个。

    shuō shí huà wǒ bù tài xǐ huan zhè ge

    To tell the truth, I don't really like this.

  • 16 童话 tóng huà — fairy tale HSK 6
    • 童 child, children's
    • 话 tale, story, narrative
    Example

    孩子们喜欢听童话故事。

    hái zi men xǐ huan tīng tóng huà gù shi

    Children like to listen to fairy tales.

  • 17 话筒 huà tǒng — microphone HSK 6
    • 话 speech, talking
    • 筒 tube, cylindrical device
    Example

    歌手拿着话筒唱歌。

    gē shǒu ná zhe huà tǒng chàng gē

    The singer holds the microphone and sings.

  • 18 不像话 bù xiàng huà — outrageous HSK 7
    • 不 not, negation
    • 像 resemble, conform to proper standards
    • 话 proper speech, acceptable behavior
    Example

    他的行为真是不像话！

    tā de xíng wéi zhēn shì bù xiàng huà

    His behavior is really outrageous!

  • 19 俗话 sú huà — common saying HSK 7
    • 俗 common, popular, folk
    • 话 words, saying, speech
    Example

    俗话说，熟能生巧。

    sú huà shuō shú néng shēng qiǎo

    As the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

  • 20 实话实说 shí huà shí shuō — speak frankly HSK 7
    • 实 true, honest, real
    • 话 words, speech
    • 实 true, honest, real (reinforcing)
    • 说 speak, say, tell
    Example

    实话实说，我觉得你的想法很好。

    shí huà shí shuō wǒ jué de nǐ de xiǎng fǎ hěn hǎo

    To be frank, I think your idea is very good.

  • 21 废话 fèi huà — nonsense HSK 7
    • 废 waste, useless
    • 话 words, speech
    Example

    少说废话，直接告诉我答案。

    shǎo shuō fèi huà zhí jiē gào su wǒ dá àn

    Cut the nonsense, just tell me the answer directly.

  • 22 无话可说 wú huà kě shuō — have nothing to say HSK 7
    • 无 not have, without
    • 话 words, things to say
    • 可 can, able to
    • 说 say, speak
    Example

    面对这样的结果，我真的无话可说。

    miàn duì zhè yàng de jié guǒ wǒ zhēn de wú huà kě shuō

    Faced with such results, I really have nothing to say.

  • 23 话语 huà yǔ — words, utterance, discourse HSK 7
    • 话 speech, talk; refers to spoken words
    • 语 language, words; formalizes and reinforces the concept of verbal expression
    Example

    这些话语让我很感动。

    zhè xiē huà yǔ ràng wǒ hěn gǎn dòng

    These words moved me deeply.

  • 24 谎话 huǎng huà — lie HSK 7
    • 谎 deception, false
    • 话 words, speech
    Example

    你不应该说谎话。

    nǐ bù yīng gāi shuō huǎng huà.

    You shouldn't tell lies.

  • 25 闲话 xián huà — gossip HSK 7
    • 闲 idle, leisurely
    • 话 talk, conversation
    Example

    不要在背后说别人的闲话。

    bú yào zài bèi hòu shuō bié rén de xián huà

    Don't gossip about others behind their backs.

Structure & writing
1 通 tōng — unobstructed; able to pass through

通 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 辶 chuò — walk/movement radical, indicating motion or walking
辶 is a component in 68 characters
HSK 1
边 biān border between countries or regions 还 huán to return to the original place or state 这 zhè this (person or thing nearby, as opposed to 那) 道 dào road; path; passage
HSK 2
过 guò to move from one place or party to another 运 yùn to rotate; to move in sequence 近 jìn near, close (in space or time; opposite of 远) 进 jìn to move forward (opposite of 退) 远 yuǎn far; distant (in space or time, opposite of 近)
Show more HSK 2 characters (+1)
送 sòng to deliver or bring something to someone
HSK 3
迎 yíng to welcome; to greet 迟 chí slow, sluggish 适 shì (lit.) to go; to travel to 选 xuǎn to choose; to select; to pick 遇 yù to meet, encounter, come across
Show more HSK 3 characters (+1)
遍 biàn universal, widespread
HSK 4
达 dá to go through; to reach 连 lián to connect, to link 迷 mí unable to distinguish; lost the ability to discern or judge 递 dì to deliver; to pass on 通 tōng unobstructed; able to pass through
Show more HSK 4 characters (+4)
逛 guàng to stroll; to wander; to roam around 速 sù fast; swift; rapid 邀 yāo to invite 随 suí to follow
HSK 5
迅 xùn extremely fast; swift 返 fǎn to return, to go back 违 wéi to disobey; to violate 述 shù to narrate; to state; to recount 迹 jì trace; mark left behind
Show more HSK 5 characters (+9)
追 zhuī to chase; to catch up with 退 tuì to move backward (opposite of 进) 逐 zhú to chase, to pursue 途 tú road; path 造 zào to make; to manufacture 逻 luó to patrol; to make rounds 遗 yí to omit or lose due to carelessness 遵 zūn (lit.) to follow; along 避 bì to avoid; to evade
HSK 6
迈 mài to stride; to step over 迫 pò to compel; to force 逃 táo to flee; to escape from an unfavorable situation 透 tòu (of liquid, light, etc.) to seep through; to penetrate 逗 dòu to tease; to provoke
Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)
逼 bī to coerce; to threaten 遥 yáo far; distant 遭 zāo to encounter (misfortune or adversity)
HSK 7
巡 xún to patrol; to make rounds of inspection 辽 liáo distant; far 迁 qiān to move, relocate (an office, residence, etc.) 迄 qì to reach; up to 迪 dí (lit.) to enlighten; to guide
Show more HSK 7 characters (+16)
迭 dié to alternate; to take turns 迸 bèng to spurt out; to splash outward 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 逊 xùn to abdicate (the throne) 逝 shì to pass; to vanish (esp. of time or flowing water) 逞 chěng show off (one's talent, power, etc.); boast 逢 féng to encounter; to meet 逮 dài (lit.) to reach; to arrive at 逸 yì comfortable and at ease; leisurely 逾 yú to exceed; to surpass 遏 è to stop; to suppress; to restrain 遛 liù to stroll, walk slowly and leisurely 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 遮 zhē to block from view; to obscure 邃 suì deep and distant (of time or space) 隧 suì tunnel; underground or mountain passage
1.2 甬 yǒng — nickname for Ningbo city, Zhejiang province
甬 is a component in 9 characters
HSK 4
勇 yǒng brave and bold, unafraid of danger or difficulty 桶 tǒng bucket; barrel; tub (cylindrical container made of plastic, wood, or metal, sometimes with a handle) 痛 tòng pain; ache (caused by illness or injury) 通 tōng unobstructed; able to pass through
HSK 6
涌 yǒng to gush; (of water) to bubble up; (of clouds) to rise
HSK 7
恿 yǒng to instigate or urge someone to do something (see 〖怂恿〗) 捅 tǒng to poke; to stab; to thrust 诵 sòng read aloud; recite with intonation 踊 yǒng to leap upward

Stroke order

2 话 huà — speech; spoken words; language

话 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

2.1 讠 yán — speech/language radical
讠 is a component in 75 characters
HSK 1
认 rèn to recognize; to distinguish 识 shí to know; to recognize; to distinguish 话 huà speech; spoken words; language 语 yǔ speech; words 说 shuō to express in words; to speak
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请 qǐng to request; to ask 读 dú to read aloud following written text 课 kè schoolwork; planned segmented instruction 谁 shéi who (interrogative pronoun) 谢 xiè to thank (reduplicated for emphasis)
HSK 2
让 ràng yield; give way to others when both parties need something 记 jì to memorize; to remember 诉 sù to tell, to express fully and unreservedly 词 cí word (the smallest free-standing unit of language, e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives) 试 shì to try; to attempt; to test informally
HSK 3
议 yì to discuss; to deliberate 讲 jiǎng to speak; to talk 该 gāi should; ought to 调 tiáo well-proportioned; harmonious
HSK 4
计 jì to calculate; to reckon 订 dìng to correct, to revise (errors in text) 讨 tǎo to launch a punitive expedition; to attack with troops 许 xǔ to permit; to allow 论 lùn to analyze and judge the reasoning of things
Show more HSK 4 characters (+8)
证 zhèng to prove or verify with people, objects, or facts 评 píng critical comment or review article 诚 chéng sincere, genuine (of one's heart or intentions) 详 xiáng detailed and thorough (opposite of 略) 误 wù wrong; erroneous 谅 liàng to understand and forgive 谈 tán to speak or discuss 谊 yì friendship; friendly relations
HSK 5
罚 fá to punish someone for a mistake or crime 训 xùn to teach; to admonish 设 shè to arrange; to set up 访 fǎng to inquire; to investigate by questioning 诊 zhěn to examine a patient (to diagnose an illness)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+3)
诗 shī poetry; poem (a literary form expressing emotion through rhythmic language) 询 xún to inquire, to seek opinions 谨 jǐn cautious; careful
HSK 6
讯 xùn to inquire 讶 yà (lit.) to be surprised; to wonder at 诞 dàn to be born; to give birth 诸 zhū all, many, various 诺 nuò an exclamation of agreement, similar to 'yes' or 'okay'
Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)
谐 xié harmonious; well-coordinated 谓 wèi to say; to tell 谦 qiān humble, modest
HSK 7
狱 yù prison; jail 蔼 ǎi friendly, amiable 讥 jī to mock, to satirize 讳 huì to avoid mentioning; to taboo speaking of something 讹 é erroneous; untrue
Show more HSK 7 characters (+22)
讼 sòng to litigate; to take a case to court 讽 fěng to satirize, mock, or admonish with cutting innuendo 诀 jué mnemonic rhyme or phrase summarizing key points of a subject 诈 zhà to deceive; to swindle 诠 quán to explain; to interpret 诡 guǐ deceitful, cunning 诧 chà to be astonished; to feel surprised 诫 jiè to warn; to admonish 诬 wū to falsely accuse; to slander with fabricated facts 诱 yòu to guide; to counsel 诵 sòng read aloud; recite with intonation 诽 fěi to slander; to speak ill of others without basis 谋 móu plan; stratagem; scheme 谍 dié (lit.) to secretly gather intelligence on military, political, or economic matters 谎 huǎng lie; falsehood 谜 mí riddle; enigmatic puzzle phrased in words for guessing 谣 yáo folk song; improvised rhyme sung without accompaniment 谤 bàng (lit.) to denounce and publicize others' faults 谬 miù erroneous; mistaken 谱 pǔ a chart, table, or book compiled by category or system 谴 qiǎn to reproach; to reprimand 辩 biàn to debate; to argue about right and wrong or truth and falsehood
2.2 舌 shé — tongue, the organ in the mouth used for tasting, chewing, and speaking
舌 is a component in 11 characters
HSK 1
话 huà speech; spoken words; language
HSK 3
刮 guā to scrape (a surface with a knife or similar tool to remove something) 活 huó to live; to be alive (opposite of '死') 甜 tián sweet taste (like sugar or honey), opposite of bitter 适 shì (lit.) to go; to travel to
HSK 4
乱 luàn disorderly; chaotic
HSK 5
括 kuò (lit.) to tie up; to bind 敌 dí hostile; antagonistic 舍 shě to give up; to abandon 辞 cí wording; diction; elegant language
HSK 7
舔 tiǎn to lick (touch or pick up something with the tongue)

Stroke order