Meanings of 壕
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About 壕
Podcast: 壕
Podcast: 壕
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AI Study Notes for 壕
Imagine a large, deep ditch (壕) that protects a castle. The character has the radical '土' (earth) at the bottom, suggesting it's something dug into the ground, while the top part resembles a roof providing shelter. Picture soldiers hiding in this ditch (háo) during a battle, creating a memorable image to link its meaning and sound.
壕 is primarily used in formal or military contexts, so it may not be commonly encountered in everyday conversation. Be cautious with its pronunciation; the tone is essential as it distinguishes it from similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '壕沟' (háogōu - trench) and '防御壕' (fángyùháo - defensive trench).
While 壕 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other words related to military and construction themes, such as '墙' (qiáng - wall) and '洞' (dòng - hole). Focus on understanding related terms and the contexts in which they are used, particularly in discussions about defense strategies.
In historical China, moats were commonly used around cities and fortresses to enhance defense mechanisms, reflecting the importance of military strategy in Chinese history. The construction and maintenance of these ditches were critical during warfare, illustrating the ingenuity of ancient Chinese fortifications.
Learners often confuse 壕 (háo) with similar characters like 槽 (cáo - trough) or 沟 (gōu - ditch), leading to incorrect usage. It's important to remember that 壕 specifically implies a protective or military context, so using it in casual settings can sound awkward.
Pronunciation of 壕
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Etymology of 壕
Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 豪 represents the sound.
earth
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 壕?
Decomposition of 壕
Identify the Components
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Write 壕
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Practice writing 壕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 壕
壕 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.
Complete the Sentence
他们挖好____沟,等候敌人进攻.
They dug in and waited for the enemy's attack.
Example Sentences for 壕 (2)
Cultural Notes for 壕
In historical China, moats were commonly used around cities and fortresses to enhance defense mechanisms, reflecting the importance of military strategy in Chinese history. The construction and maintenance of these ditches were critical during warfare, illustrating the ingenuity of ancient Chinese fortifications.
Word Family of 壕
Compound Meaning
What does 战壕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 壕
壕 (háo) refers to a larger, more fortified ditch or trench, often used in military contexts, while 沟 (gōu) typically indicates a smaller drainage ditch.