Meanings of 穴
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About 穴
Podcast: 穴
Podcast: 穴
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AI Study Notes for 穴
Learners often confuse the pronunciation with similar characters due to tonal differences. It's important to note that 穴 is more commonly used in informal contexts, especially when talking about nature. Common collocations include '穴居' (xué jū - cave dwelling) and '穴位' (xué wèi - acupuncture point).
While 穴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to other fundamental characters like '洞' (dòng - hole) and '窝' (wō - nest). Focus on recognizing its usage in compound words and practice pronunciation to avoid tonal errors.
Learners often mispronounce 穴 as 'xuè', which changes the meaning. Additionally, they might confuse it with other characters that have similar shapes or pronunciations, such as '血' (xiě - blood). Ensure to practice the correct tone and context.
Pronunciation of 穴
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Etymology of 穴
Pictograph of an opening to a cave.
The mouth of a cave
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 穴
Pictograph of an opening to a cave.
- 1The giveawayThe mouth of a cave
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 穴? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 穴?
Decomposition of 穴
Identify the Components
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How to say cave in Chinese
“cave” in Chinese is穴
The character 穴 (xué) primarily means 'cave' or 'hole', and can refer to any kind of hollow space. It is often used in contexts related to nature, such as caves in geology, or in medicine, specifically acupuncture points. The word conveys a sense of emptiness or space within a solid object.
When to use 穴
Learners often confuse the pronunciation with similar characters due to tonal differences. It's important to note that 穴 is more commonly used in informal contexts, especially when talking about nature. Common collocations include '穴居' (xué jū - cave dwelling) and '穴位' (xué wèi - acupuncture point).
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 穴 as 'xuè', which changes the meaning. Additionally, they might confuse it with other characters that have similar shapes or pronunciations, such as '血' (xiě - blood). Ensure to practice the correct tone and context.
Write 穴
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Practice writing 穴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 穴
穴 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). It carries 7 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.
Complete the Sentence
这正是洞____探险者害怕的那种洪水。
This is the type of flood dreaded by cavers.
Example Sentences for 穴 (10)
Word Family of 穴
Compound Meaning
What does 穿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 穴
穴 refers to a cavity or hole, often with a natural connotation, while 洞 is more general and can refer to any hole or cave.
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