Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
冎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
冎guǎbonex, 5 strokes, radical 冂
guǎ(gua3) T3
  1. 1bone
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

冎guǎ(gua3)

The character 冎 (guǎ) refers to bone, specifically in contexts relating to anatomy or structure. It is often used in specialized terminology, particularly in medical or biological discussions where bones or skeletal structures are involved.

Strokes5Radical冂
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of bones is often linked to overall vitality and longevity, highlighting the importance of understanding bone health in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a skeleton (the shape of 冎) standing proudly, showcasing its bones. The character's two components suggest strength and structure, echoing the idea of bones supporting the body, while the sound 'guǎ' can be remembered by thinking of 'guard,' as bones guard our bodies.

Meanings of 冎

guǎ(gua3)
1bone
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 冎

冎Simplified
5Strokes
冂Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 冎

JasonAmy

Podcast: 冎

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 冎

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in technical language. Be cautious not to confuse it with other characters related to bones, like 骨 (gǔ), which is more frequently used in general contexts. Always pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

Since 冎 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners might encounter it in specialized texts rather than in general language practice. Focus on learning related terms for bones or anatomy, as they may come up in health or science discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 冎 with 骨 (gǔ), which is more commonly used for 'bone' in everyday language. For example, saying '我有冎痛' (wǒ yǒu guǎ tòng) instead of '我有骨痛' (wǒ yǒu gǔ tòng) is incorrect and should be corrected.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 冎

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 冎 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 冎

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of bones.

Memory Hint

Cross-section of a bone

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 冎

Pictograph of bones.

  1. 1The giveawayCross-section of a bone
  2. 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 冎? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 冎?

Decomposition of 冎

IDS Structure⿱?冂
冎Full Character
=
冂jiong1
top
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 冎?

How to say bone in Chinese

“bone” in Chinese is冎guǎ

The character 冎 (guǎ) refers to bone, specifically in contexts relating to anatomy or structure. It is often used in specialized terminology, particularly in medical or biological discussions where bones or skeletal structures are involved.

When to use 冎

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in technical language. Be cautious not to confuse it with other characters related to bones, like 骨 (gǔ), which is more frequently used in general contexts. Always pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 冎 with 骨 (gǔ), which is more commonly used for 'bone' in everyday language. For example, saying '我有冎痛' (wǒ yǒu guǎ tòng) instead of '我有骨痛' (wǒ yǒu gǔ tòng) is incorrect and should be corrected.

Write 冎

冎

Practice writing 冎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 冎

Since 冎 is quite specialized, it often appears in compound words related to anatomy but is not commonly used in daily conversation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 冎?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.