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櫆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
櫆kuíPolaris, the north starzg, 18 strokes, radical 木
kuí(kui2)kui T2
  1. 1Polaris, the north star
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March 24, 2026

櫆kuí(kui2)

The character 櫆 (kuí) refers to Polaris, the North Star, which is a crucial navigational reference in the Northern Hemisphere. It symbolizes guidance and direction, often associated with leadership and stability in various contexts.

Strokes18Radical木
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, Polaris has historically been seen as a symbol of stability and guidance, often mentioned in poetry and literature as a metaphor for unwavering leadership or moral direction.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall tree (the radical 木) standing strong under the night sky, with a bright star (the character's shape) shining directly above it, guiding travelers. The shape of 櫆 resembles a tree with a guiding star on top, reminding you it's the North Star, or Polaris.

Meanings of 櫆

kuí(kui2)
1Polaris, the north star
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 櫆

櫆Simplified
18Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 櫆

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AI study notes for 櫆

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 櫆 with similar characters due to its uncommon usage. It's generally used in formal contexts related to astronomy or navigation; thus, it may not appear in casual conversation. Remember to pronounce it with the second tone (kuí) to avoid confusion with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not found in the HSK vocabulary list, but it can be connected to HSK Level 4 words about nature and astronomy. Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or historical texts where navigation is discussed.

Common Mistakes

Learners might incorrectly use 櫆 in everyday conversation, thinking it refers to any star rather than specifically Polaris. Instead, clarify its unique role as the North Star when discussing navigation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 櫆

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Etymology of 櫆

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

star

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)魁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

櫆 = 木 + 魁. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 櫆

IDS Structure⿰木魁
櫆Full character
=
木Mu4
left
魁kui2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 櫆?

How to say Polaris, the north star in Chinese

“Polaris, the north star” in Chinese is櫆kuí

The character 櫆 (kuí) refers to Polaris, the North Star, which is a crucial navigational reference in the Northern Hemisphere. It symbolizes guidance and direction, often associated with leadership and stability in various contexts.

When to use 櫆

Learners often confuse 櫆 with similar characters due to its uncommon usage. It's generally used in formal contexts related to astronomy or navigation; thus, it may not appear in casual conversation. Remember to pronounce it with the second tone (kuí) to avoid confusion with other characters.

What learners get wrong

Learners might incorrectly use 櫆 in everyday conversation, thinking it refers to any star rather than specifically Polaris. Instead, clarify its unique role as the North Star when discussing navigation.

Write 櫆

櫆

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Word Family of 櫆

Words containing this character1
櫆kuíPolaris

Frequently asked questions about 櫆

Polaris is viewed as a guiding star, symbolizing stability and leadership, often referenced in poetry.

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