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寇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
寇kòubandit, thief; enemy; to invadenr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6710, Hard
寇kòuto plunderunknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6710, Hard
寇kòufoeunknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6710, Hard
寇kòuold variant of 寇[kou4]nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6710, Hard
kòu(kou4)kou T4
  1. 1bandit, thief; enemy; to invade
  2. 2to plunder
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March 24, 2026

寇(㓂)kòu(kou4)

The character 寇 (kòu) primarily refers to a bandit or thief, and can also denote an enemy or foe. It is often used in historical contexts or literature to describe invaders or plunderers, reflecting a sense of hostility or aggression.

Strokes11Radical宀Frequency#6710DifficultyHard
Cultural note

The term 寇 is often associated with the historical context of banditry in ancient China, where bandits could disrupt local peace, reflecting the societal issues of law and order during those times.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'knot' (sounds like 'kòu') being tied tightly around a 'bandit' who is trying to escape. The character itself has the radical for 'house' (宀), suggesting that these bandits invade homes, while the rest of the character evokes a feeling of conflict.

Meanings of 寇

kòu(kou4)
1bandit, thief; enemy; to invade
2to plunder
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 寇 means.

About 寇

寇Simplified
㓂Traditional
11Strokes
宀Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 寇

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Podcast: 寇

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AI Study Notes for 寇

Quick Contrast

匪 (fěi) - use 寇 (kòu) when emphasizing historical invaders or plunderers, whereas 匪 (fěi) typically refers to bandits or robbers in a more modern context.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. This character is more formal and might appear in historical texts rather than in casual conversation. Common collocations include '海盗寇' (pirate) or '敌寇' (enemy bandit).

HSK Study Tips

Although not included in HSK levels, understanding 寇 can enhance vocabulary related to conflict and historical narratives. Students should focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in texts discussing historical invasions or conflicts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 寇 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 口 (kǒu) meaning mouth. A common mistake is using it in informal contexts where a simpler term would suffice. For example, saying '他是一个寇' (He is a bandit) in casual conversation might sound overly dramatic.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 寇

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Etymology of 寇

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

Bandits mugging 攴 a person 元 in his home 宀

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 寇?

Decomposition of 寇

IDS Structure⿱宀⿺元攴
寇Full character
=
宀gai4
top
元Yuan2
enclosing
攴pu1
inner
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 寇?

How to say bandit, thief; enemy; to invade in Chinese

“bandit, thief; enemy; to invade” in Chinese is寇kòu

The character 寇 (kòu) primarily refers to a bandit or thief, and can also denote an enemy or foe. It is often used in historical contexts or literature to describe invaders or plunderers, reflecting a sense of hostility or aggression.

When to use 寇

Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. This character is more formal and might appear in historical texts rather than in casual conversation. Common collocations include '海盗寇' (pirate) or '敌寇' (enemy bandit).

寇 or something close to it

匪 (fěi) - use 寇 (kòu) when emphasizing historical invaders or plunderers, whereas 匪 (fěi) typically refers to bandits or robbers in a more modern context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 寇 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 口 (kǒu) meaning mouth. A common mistake is using it in informal contexts where a simpler term would suffice. For example, saying '他是一个寇' (He is a bandit) in casual conversation might sound overly dramatic.

Write 寇

寇

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

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Grammar Patterns of 寇

寇 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 4 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 5

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这部电影最早在1957年上映,后被翻拍为《七侠荡____志》。

Originally released in 1957, the film was remade as "The Magnificent Seven".

Example Sentences for 寇 (3)

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1
这部电影最早在1957年上映,后被翻拍为《七侠荡寇志》。

zhè bù diàn yǐng zuì zǎo zài1957 1957 nián shàng, yìng , hòu bèi fān《 pāi wéi 《 qī xiá》。

Originally released in 1957, the film was remade as "The Magnificent Seven".
2
宜将剩勇追穷寇.

yí jiāng shèng yǒng zhuī qióng kòu.

With power and to spare we must pursue the tottering foe.
3
穷寇勿追.

qióng kòu wù zhuī.

The stag at bay is a dangerous foe.

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Word Family of 寇

Words containing this character7
寇kòuto invade
倭寇Japanese pirates (in 16th and 17th century)
流寇roving bandit
寇准Kou Zhun (961-1023), Northern Song politician and poet寇準
穷寇cornered enemy窮寇
草寇bandits
司寇two-character surname Sikou
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 寇

What does 倭寇 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 寇

Common phrases include '敌寇' meaning enemy bandit and '海盗寇' for pirate.

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