verb HSK 5
Traditional 召喚
zhào huàn
to summon · to call forth · to beckon

Meaning

召唤 means to call someone or something to appear, often with authority or supernatural power. It can refer to summoning spirits, calling people to duty, or evoking emotions and memories. The word carries a formal or solemn tone and is commonly used in literary, religious, or fantasy contexts.

Usage

Native speakers use 召唤 in formal or literary contexts, fantasy/gaming settings (summoning creatures), and when describing a compelling force that calls someone to action. It's less common in everyday casual conversation, where simpler words like 叫 (jiào) might be used instead. Often appears in poetic or inspirational language about destiny or duty.

Examples

  1. 01
    这首歌召唤起了我童年的回忆。
    Zhè shǒu zhào huàn le tóng nián de huí .
    This song summoned up my childhood memories.
  2. 02
    在游戏中,玩家可以召唤各种魔法生物来战斗。
    Zài yóu zhōng, wán jiā zhào huàn zhǒng shēng lái zhàn dòu.
    In the game, players can summon various magical creatures to battle.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 召唤
    zhào huàn shòu
    summoned beast (gaming)
  • 召唤
    zhào huàn shī
    summoner
  • 召唤力量
    zhào huàn liàng
    to summon strength/power
  • 时代的召唤
    shí dài de zhào huàn
    the call of the times

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to calling or summoning. 召 originally depicted a mouth and hand, representing calling someone. 唤 combines the mouth radical 口 with 奂 (a phonetic component), emphasizing vocal calling.

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