吼叫 is a compound verb meaning 'to roar' or 'to shout loudly', often with intensity, force, or emotional urgency. The first character 吼 (hǒu) originally depicts the deep, guttural sound made by large animals like lions or tigers; it emphasizes volume and raw power. The second character 叫 (jiào) means 'to call' or 'to cry out', broadening the meaning to include human vocalizations such as shouting in anger, fear, or excitement. Together, 吼叫 conveys a loud, unrestrained vocal emission — whether animal or human — that is louder and more forceful than ordinary speech or calling.

This word is commonly used in descriptive or narrative contexts: describing animal behavior in nature documentaries or stories ('The tiger roared at the intruder'), or expressing strong human emotion in literature or dialogue ('He roared in frustration'). It carries a slightly dramatic or literary tone and is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation where simpler terms like 叫 or 大喊 are preferred.