to slip, to slide

JLPT N1 12 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character (huá) primarily means "slippery" or "to slip/slide." It is often used to describe surfaces that cause slipping, such as floors or roads. Beyond the literal sense, can describe speech or behavior that is slick, cunning, or smooth in a somewhat negative or tricky way.

Common Collocations

  • 地面 (slippery ground): used to warn about physical slipping hazards.
  • (slick, cunning person): describes someone who is crafty or untrustworthy.
  • (smooth, fluent): often used for handwriting or movement that is smooth and effortless.

Usage Notes

When using to describe surfaces, it often carries a cautionary tone. When describing speech or behavior, it implies slyness or evasiveness. Be careful not to confuse with 光滑 (guānghuá), which emphasizes smoothness without slipperiness.

Register and Tone

is neutral in tone but context-dependent. It can be used in everyday conversation, warnings, or descriptive language. When describing people as , it has a slightly negative connotation.

Common Confusion

vs 光滑: emphasizes slipperiness or slickness that can cause slipping, while 光滑 emphasizes smoothness and polish without necessarily being slippery.

Example Sentences

The floor is very slippery, be careful not to fall.

He speaks very slickly, making it hard for people to trust him.

The handwriting with this pen is very smooth.