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柩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jiùbier, coffinn, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #62465, Very Hard
jiù(jiu4) T4
  1. 1bier, coffin
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
jiù(jiu4)

The character 柩 (jiù) refers to a bier or coffin, a structure used to hold a deceased person's body. It is commonly used in contexts related to funerals and mourning, indicating the importance of respect for the deceased in Chinese culture.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#62465DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, funerals are conducted with great reverence, and the choice of a coffin (柩) reflects the family's respect for the deceased. The character is associated with the traditional practices surrounding death and the afterlife.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'jew' holding a 'coffin' made of wood (the radical 木, meaning 'wood') while standing in a somber setting. The sound 'jiù' can remind you of the serious tone associated with funerals.

Meanings of 柩

jiù(jiu4)
1bier, coffin
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 柩

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 柩

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AI Study Notes for 柩

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'jew' holding a 'coffin' made of wood (the radical 木, meaning 'wood') while standing in a somber setting. The sound 'jiù' can remind you of the serious tone associated with funerals.

Usage Notes

柩 is a formal term typically used in literature or during solemn occasions. A common mistake is using it casually in everyday conversation, which is inappropriate. Remember that it often appears in phrases related to death and burial.

HSK Study Tips

Although 柩 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it is important for learners interested in cultural or historical texts. Students should focus on understanding its context and associations with death and funerals, as these themes may appear in advanced studies.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, funerals are conducted with great reverence, and the choice of a coffin (柩) reflects the family's respect for the deceased. The character is associated with the traditional practices surrounding death and the afterlife.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 柩 with less formal terms for coffin, using it in inappropriate contexts. For example, saying 柩 in a casual setting instead of using 盒子 (hézi) for a box is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 柩

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Etymology of 柩

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A wooden 木 coffin 匛; 匛 also provides the pronunciation

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 柩?

Decomposition of 柩

IDS Structure⿰木匛
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
jiu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 柩?

Write 柩

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

Grammar Patterns of 柩

柩 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). 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

灵____上覆盖着英国国旗。

The coffin had been draped in a Union Jack.

Example Sentences for 柩 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
灵柩上覆盖着英国国旗。

líng jiù shàng fù gài zháo yīng guó guó qí。

The coffin had been draped in a Union Jack.
2
当驳船抵达圣地时,辅祭除去了柩衣。

dāng bó chuán dǐ dá shèng dì shí, , fǔ jì chú qù le jiù。

When the barge reached the shrine, acolytes removed the pall.
3
两名记者不得不帮忙把灵柩慢慢地放进墓穴中。

liǎng míng jì zhě bù dé bù bāng máng bǎ líng jiù màn màn dì fàng jìn mù xué zhōng。

Two reporters had to help lower the coffin into the grave.
4
灵柩由齐步行进的六名士兵抬着。

líng jiù yóu qí bù háng jìn de liù míng shì bīng tái zháo。

The coffin was carried by six soldiers walking in lockstep .

Cultural Notes for 柩

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, funerals are conducted with great reverence, and the choice of a coffin (柩) reflects the family's respect for the deceased. The character is associated with the traditional practices surrounding death and the afterlife.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, coffins are often personalized and can vary widely in style and presentation, reflecting individual preferences, whereas in Chinese culture, there is a stronger emphasis on traditional forms and rituals related to the deceased.

Word Family of 柩

Words Containing This Character2
灵柩coffin containing a corpse靈柩
jiùbier
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 灵柩 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 柩

Yes, but it is mostly found in formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation.