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刽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
guìto amputate, to cut offn, 8 strokes, radical 刂, Very Hard
guìalso pr. [kuai4]unknown, 8 strokes, radical 刂, Very Hard
guì(gui4) T4
  1. 1to amputate, to cut off
  2. 2also pr. [kuai4]
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March 24, 2026
(劊)guì(gui4)

The character 刽 (guì) refers to the act of amputating or cutting off a part of something, typically in a medical context. It can also imply a severe or drastic action of removal. This term is often used in discussions about surgery or injury, where precise cutting is involved.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of cutting or amputation can carry significant cultural weight, often associated with discussions about balance and the body's integrity. Surgery is viewed with caution and respect.

Memory Tip

Picture a 'guy' (sounds like 'guì') with a sword, bravely cutting off a branch from a tree. The left radical 刀 (dāo) represents a knife, which connects directly to the idea of cutting or amputation.

Meanings of 刽

guì(gui4)
1to amputate, to cut off
2also pr. [kuai4]
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 刽

Simplified
Traditional
8Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 刽

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AI Study Notes for 刽

Memory Mnemonic

Picture a 'guy' (sounds like 'guì') with a sword, bravely cutting off a branch from a tree. The left radical 刀 (dāo) represents a knife, which connects directly to the idea of cutting or amputation.

Usage Notes

This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation and may come off as formal or clinical. Be cautious of using it in casual contexts, as it may sound overly intense. It often appears in medical terminology or literature discussing surgery.

HSK Study Tips

While 刽 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists, it shares components with characters related to cutting and removal, such as 刀 (knife) and 割 (to cut). Focus on recognizing the radical 刀 to understand its connection to related terms.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of cutting or amputation can carry significant cultural weight, often associated with discussions about balance and the body's integrity. Surgery is viewed with caution and respect.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 刽 (guì) with 割 (gē), leading to incorrect usage in contexts where a more general term for cutting is appropriate. For example, using 刽 when simply referring to slicing vegetables instead of 割 would be incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刽

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Etymology of 刽

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 会 represents the sound. Simplified form of 劊.

Memory Hint

knife

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 刽?

Decomposition of 刽

IDS Structure⿰会刂
Full Character
=
hui4
left
dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 刽?

Write 刽

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

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Grammar Patterns of 刽

刽 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

____子手一刀就把他的头砍了.

The executioner cut off his head at one blow.

Example Sentences for 刽 (1)

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1
刽子手一刀就把他的头砍了.

guì zǐ shǒu yī dāo jiù bǎ tā de tóu kǎn le.

The executioner cut off his head at one blow.

Cultural Notes for 刽

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of cutting or amputation can carry significant cultural weight, often associated with discussions about balance and the body's integrity. Surgery is viewed with caution and respect.

Word Family of 刽

Words Containing This Character2
刽子手executioner劊子手
guìto amputate
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 刽子手 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 刽

While both involve cutting, 刽 (guì) specifically refers to amputation or severe cutting, often in a medical sense, whereas 割 (gē) is more general and can mean to cut or slice.