unknown, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #26763, Very Hard
qiū(qiu1) T1
1Mallotus japonicus
2Catalpa
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
楸qiū(qiu1)
The character 楸 (qiū) refers to the Catalpa tree, a species known for its large, decorative flowers and broad leaves. In Chinese culture, it is often associated with beauty and shade, commonly found in gardens and parks. Additionally, it can also refer to the Mallotus japonicus, which is a type of tree that yields a valuable resin.
Strokes13Radical木Frequency#26763DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese gardens, trees like the Catalpa are valued not only for their beauty but also for their shade, making them popular in designs for relaxation spaces. The tree is often featured in literature and poetry, symbolizing peace and tranquility.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 楸 as a tree (木) standing tall in a garden (阝) during autumn (秋). The '木' radical at the left signifies wood or trees, while the '阝' suggests a landscape, highlighting its natural beauty. Imagine the vibrant colors of autumn leaves falling from this tree, helping you remember its pronunciation 'qiū'.
Meanings of 楸
qiū(qiu1)
1Mallotus japonicus
2Catalpa
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 楸
楸Simplified
13Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 楸
Podcast: 楸
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 楸
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 楸 as a tree (木) standing tall in a garden (阝) during autumn (秋). The '木' radical at the left signifies wood or trees, while the '阝' suggests a landscape, highlighting its natural beauty. Imagine the vibrant colors of autumn leaves falling from this tree, helping you remember its pronunciation 'qiū'.
Usage Notes
This character is typically used in botanical contexts and is less common in everyday conversation, making it more formal. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar characters like 秋 (qiū, autumn), which sounds similar but has a different meaning. Ensure to practice the correct pronunciation to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 楸 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding this character can deepen your botanical vocabulary, which often overlaps with other HSK words. Focus on related terms like 树 (shù, tree) and 花 (huā, flower) to build your knowledge in this area.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese gardens, trees like the Catalpa are valued not only for their beauty but also for their shade, making them popular in designs for relaxation spaces. The tree is often featured in literature and poetry, symbolizing peace and tranquility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 楸 with similar-sounding characters like 秋 (qiū, autumn) or 树 (shù, tree). For example, saying '我喜欢秋' (I like qiū) instead of '我喜欢楸' (I like qiū) can lead to misunderstandings about what tree is being referred to.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 楸
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 楸 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 楸 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 楸
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese gardens, trees like the Catalpa are valued not only for their beauty but also for their shade, making them popular in designs for relaxation spaces. The tree is often featured in literature and poetry, symbolizing peace and tranquility.
Word Family of 楸
Words Containing This Character2
楸qiūCatalpa
鹅掌楸Chinese tulip tree鵝掌楸
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 楸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 楸
It refers to the Catalpa tree, known for its ornamental qualities.
No, it's more of a specialized term used in botanical contexts.