HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16232, Hard
拱
gǒng
to surround
HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16232, Hard
拱
gǒng
to arch
HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16232, Hard
拱
gǒng
to dig earth with the snout
HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16232, Hard
gǒng(gong3) T3
1to salute, to bow; arched; arch
2to cup one's hands in salute
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March 24, 2026
拱gǒng(gong3)
The character 拱 (gǒng) primarily means 'to salute' or 'to bow,' often associated with a gesture of respect. It can also refer to an arch or the act of cupping one's hands in a saluting gesture. This word is commonly used in contexts related to rituals, greetings, or architectural features.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#16232DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, bowing or saluting is an important part of showing respect, especially in formal settings such as ceremonies or greeting elders. The act of 拱 is deeply rooted in the Confucian value of respect for others.
Memory Tip
Imagine two hands cupping together in a salute, forming an arch shape. The character 拱 has the radical 扌, which relates to hand actions, and the shape resembles a person bowing their head in respect – think of 'gǒng' as 'going down' to honor someone.
Meanings of 拱
gǒng(gong3)
1to salute, to bow; arched; arch
2to cup one's hands in salute
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 拱
拱Simplified
9Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 拱
Podcast: 拱
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AI Study Notes for 拱
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine two hands cupping together in a salute, forming an arch shape. The character 拱 has the radical 扌, which relates to hand actions, and the shape resembles a person bowing their head in respect – think of 'gǒng' as 'going down' to honor someone.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 拱 with similar characters related to bending or arching, such as 弯 (wān). It is used in both formal and informal contexts; however, be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing it as 'gōng' can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 拱手 (gǒngshǒu) for 'to salute with cupped hands.'
HSK Study Tips
Though not an HSK word, 拱 shares components with other HSK characters like 手 (shǒu) for 'hand.' Students should focus on recognizing the radical and understanding its various meanings in context, which can enrich their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, bowing or saluting is an important part of showing respect, especially in formal settings such as ceremonies or greeting elders. The act of 拱 is deeply rooted in the Confucian value of respect for others.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to confuse 拱 with the character 功 (gōng), which means 'achievement' or 'merit.' Remember that 拱 is related to gestures and arches, while 功 relates to accomplishments.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拱
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Grammar Patterns of 拱
拱 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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
Complete the Sentence
阿兰·普罗斯特以第三名的成绩结束比赛，实际上已经将世界冠军的位置____手让人。
Alain Prost finished third and virtually conceded the world championship.
Example Sentences for 拱 (10)
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1
阿兰·普罗斯特以第三名的成绩结束比赛，实际上已经将世界冠军的位置拱手让人。
ā lán· · pǔ luó sī tè yǐ dì sān míng de chéng jì jié shù bǐ， sài ， shí jì shàng yǐ jīng jiāng shì jiè guān jūn de wèi zhì gǒng shǒu。
Alain Prost finished third and virtually conceded the world championship.
Spring is also the magic of life demonstrated galleries.
9
这座桥由石拱支撑.
zhè zuò qiáo yóu shí gǒng zhī chēng.
The bridge rests on stone arches.
10
那些猪在丛树中到处乱拱.
nà xiē zhū zài cóng shù zhōng dào chǔ luàn gǒng.
The pigs were grubbing about among the bushes.
Cultural Notes for 拱
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, bowing or saluting is an important part of showing respect, especially in formal settings such as ceremonies or greeting elders. The act of 拱 is deeply rooted in the Confucian value of respect for others.
Word Family of 拱
Words Containing This Character12
拱gǒngto arch
拱手(fig.) submissive
拱门arched door拱門
拱形arch
拱桥arch bridge拱橋
拱墅区Gongshu district of Hangzhou city 杭州市[Hángzhōushì], Zhejiang拱墅區
拱顶a dome拱頂
斗拱interlocking wooden brackets between the top of a column and crossbeams used in traditional Chinese architecture
拱卫to surround and protect拱衛
众星拱月to revolve around sb眾星拱月
拱璧fig. a treasure
打拱作揖to beg humbly
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 拱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拱
The correct pronunciation is gǒng, with a falling-rising tone.
Yes, 拱 can be used in both formal and casual contexts, especially when discussing gestures of respect.
Yes, one common phrase is 拱手让人, which means to yield or give way respectfully.
