(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #8987, Very Hard
gū(gu1) T1
1mumble, mutter, murmur; rumble
2(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
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March 24, 2026
咕gū(gu1)
The character 咕 (gū) primarily refers to sounds made when mumbling, muttering, or murmuring. It is also used to describe the rumbling sounds, such as those made by an empty stomach or certain birds. This character conveys a sense of low, indistinct sound, often implying something soft or subdued.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#8987DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound represented by 咕 can be associated with hunger, as it mimics the sound of a stomach rumbling. This sound is often humorously referenced in cartoons and children's stories when characters are hungry.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sleepy bird (the sound of 咕 resembles a soft cooing) mumbling in a nest. Visualize the bird’s round body (the character's round shape) as it softly murmurs, representing the gentle sounds of murmuring or a rumbling stomach.
Meanings of 咕
gū(gu1)
1mumble, mutter, murmur; rumble
2(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 咕
咕Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 咕
Podcast: 咕
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AI Study Notes for 咕
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 咕 with similar-sounding characters. It's generally informal, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include 咕噜 (gūlū), which implies a continuous murmur or rumble, especially of a stomach.
HSK Study Tips
Although 咕 is not at a specific HSK level, it connects to HSK vocabulary that describes sounds and feelings. Students should focus on the sounds it represents and practice using it in phrases to describe various contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 咕 for louder or more distinct sounds instead of its intended soft or muted context. For example, saying '咕咕叫' (gūgū jiào) when referring to a loud noise is incorrect; it should be used for softer sounds.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咕
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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 古 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half古 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 咕? 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 咕?
Decomposition of 咕
IDS Structure⿰口古
咕Full Character
=
口kou3
left
古Gu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 咕?
How to say mumble, mutter, murmur; rumble in Chinese
“mumble, mutter, murmur; rumble” in Chinese is咕gū
The character 咕 (gū) primarily refers to sounds made when mumbling, muttering, or murmuring. It is also used to describe the rumbling sounds, such as those made by an empty stomach or certain birds. This character conveys a sense of low, indistinct sound, often implying something soft or subdued.
When to use 咕
Learners often confuse 咕 with similar-sounding characters. It's generally informal, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include 咕噜 (gūlū), which implies a continuous murmur or rumble, especially of a stomach.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 咕 for louder or more distinct sounds instead of its intended soft or muted context. For example, saying '咕咕叫' (gūgū jiào) when referring to a loud noise is incorrect; it should be used for softer sounds.
Write 咕
咕
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Practice writing 咕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 咕
咕 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他们所谓的回答不过是表示承认的____哝罢了。
Their replies were no more than grunts of acknowledgement.
Example Sentences for 咕 (10)
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1
他们所谓的回答不过是表示承认的咕哝罢了。
tā mén suǒ wèi de huí dá bù guò shì biǎo shì chéng rèn de gū nóng bà le。
Their replies were no more than grunts of acknowledgement.
