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March 24, 2026
濠háo(hao2)
The character 濠 (háo) refers to a type of ditch or trench, often used in the context of moats that surround castles or fortifications. It conveys the idea of a deep, water-filled excavation designed for protection or drainage. This term is typically used in historical or architectural discussions.
Strokes17Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, moats (濠) were crucial for defense against invaders, especially during the feudal period. They symbolize the strategic military architecture of that era, reflecting the importance of fortifications in Chinese history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, protective moat (濠) surrounding a castle, with the character resembling a fortress wall (亻) and a flowing river (氵) that fills the ditch. The 'h' sound in 'háo' can remind you of the 'ho' sound in 'moat', connecting both pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 濠
háo(hao2)
1ditch, trench, moat
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About 濠
濠Simplified
17Strokes
氵Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 濠
Podcast: 濠
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AI Study Notes for 濠
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large, protective moat (濠) surrounding a castle, with the character resembling a fortress wall (亻) and a flowing river (氵) that fills the ditch. The 'h' sound in 'háo' can remind you of the 'ho' sound in 'moat', connecting both pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 濠 with similar characters like 河 (hé, river) or 沟 (gōu, ditch) which have different usages. This character is more formal and is rarely used in everyday conversation, often appearing in literary or historical contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding 濠 enriches your knowledge of architectural terms and historical contexts. Focus on recognizing its components and relating them to similar terms at various HSK levels to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, moats (濠) were crucial for defense against invaders, especially during the feudal period. They symbolize the strategic military architecture of that era, reflecting the importance of fortifications in Chinese history.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 濠 with 河 (hé) when referring to water bodies. For example, saying '我想游泳在濠' ('I want to swim in the moat') is incorrect; instead, use 河 to indicate a river.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 濠
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Cultural Notes for 濠
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, moats (濠) were crucial for defense against invaders, especially during the feudal period. They symbolize the strategic military architecture of that era, reflecting the importance of fortifications in Chinese history.
Word Family of 濠
Words Containing This Character1
濠háotrench
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 濠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 濠
It is pronounced as háo, with a rising tone.
It's more commonly found in historical texts or discussions about architecture rather than in everyday conversation.
While both refer to ditches, 濠 specifically denotes moats or trenches, often filled with water, whereas 沟 refers to a general ditch.
