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幬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chóuto cover up; curtainx, 17 strokes, radical 巾, Very Hard
chóu(chou2) T2
  1. 1to cover up; curtain
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
chóu(chou2)

The character 幬 (chóu) refers to a covering or curtain, commonly used to describe items that provide shelter or privacy. It often appears in contexts related to architecture or interior design, where curtains or drapes are essential for decor and functionality.

Strokes17RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Curtains play a significant role in Chinese homes for privacy and aesthetic purposes, often seen in traditional tea houses where they set the mood for intimate gatherings. The use of curtains ties back to the cultural practice of creating harmonious living spaces.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large curtain (幬) that covers a stage during a performance. The left side of the character resembles a roof (covering), while the right side resembles the drapes hanging down. Visualize the curtain being drawn back to reveal the show, helping you remember the sound 'chóu' as you unveil something hidden.

Meanings of 幬

chóu(chou2)
1to cover up; curtain
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 幬

Simplified
17Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 幬

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 幬

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large curtain (幬) that covers a stage during a performance. The left side of the character resembles a roof (covering), while the right side resembles the drapes hanging down. Visualize the curtain being drawn back to reveal the show, helping you remember the sound 'chóu' as you unveil something hidden.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 幬 with similar characters that have different meanings, such as 伞 (sǎn), which means umbrella. This character is more formal and specific to curtains, so avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler terms might suffice.

HSK Study Tips

Although 幬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of compound words related to home and decor. Focus on recognizing its components and how it combines with other characters, such as in 纱幔 (shāmàn, 'sheer curtain').

Cultural Note

Curtains play a significant role in Chinese homes for privacy and aesthetic purposes, often seen in traditional tea houses where they set the mood for intimate gatherings. The use of curtains ties back to the cultural practice of creating harmonious living spaces.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 幬 with 伞 (sǎn) because both involve covering. For example, saying '我需要一个幬' (I need a covering) when referring to an umbrella is incorrect; instead, use '伞'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 幬

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Etymology of 幬

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

cloth

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 幬?

Decomposition of 幬

IDS Structure⿰巾壽
Full Character
=
jin1
left
shou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 幬?

Write 幬

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 幬

🏮Cultural insight

Curtains play a significant role in Chinese homes for privacy and aesthetic purposes, often seen in traditional tea houses where they set the mood for intimate gatherings. The use of curtains ties back to the cultural practice of creating harmonious living spaces.

Word Family of 幬

Words Containing This Character1
chóucanopy
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 帱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 幬

窗帘 specifically means 'window curtain,' while 幬 is a broader term for any kind of covering or curtain.