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March 24, 2026
窖jiào(jiao4)
The character 窖 (jiào) refers to a cellar or storeroom, typically used for storing food or drink, such as wine or pickled vegetables. It is often associated with cool, dark spaces that preserve the quality of stored items, making it a common term in discussions about traditional food storage methods.
Strokes12Radical穴Frequency#30966DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, cellars are important for preserving food items, particularly in rural areas where refrigeration may not be available. This practice reflects the value placed on food preservation and waste reduction in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dark, cool cellar where wine is stored. The character 窖 has a 'roof' (the top part) and a 'floor' (the bottom part), resembling a room where items are kept safe and cool. The pronunciation 'jiào' sounds like 'jowl,' which you might think of as a place to store things like food, just as a jowl can hold food in your mouth.
Meanings of 窖
jiào(jiao4)
1cellar, storeroom
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 窖
窖Simplified
12Strokes
穴Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 窖
Podcast: 窖
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AI Study Notes for 窖
Quick Contrast
酒窖 (jiǔjiào, wine cellar) vs 地窖 (dìjiào, underground cellar) — use 窖 for general storage contexts, while 酒窖 specifically refers to wine storage.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dark, cool cellar where wine is stored. The character 窖 has a 'roof' (the top part) and a 'floor' (the bottom part), resembling a room where items are kept safe and cool. The pronunciation 'jiào' sounds like 'jowl,' which you might think of as a place to store things like food, just as a jowl can hold food in your mouth.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 窖 with similar-sounding words, so it’s important to practice the correct pronunciation and tone. This word is generally used in more formal contexts, especially in culinary discussions. Common collocations include '酒窖' (wine cellar) and '储藏窖' (storage cellar).
HSK Study Tips
Although 窖 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, it helps build contextual understanding around food storage, which connects to other words related to cooking and cuisine. Students should focus on recognizing the character’s structure and its use in context.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, cellars are important for preserving food items, particularly in rural areas where refrigeration may not be available. This practice reflects the value placed on food preservation and waste reduction in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 窖 with the character 嫁 (jià), which means 'to marry.' A common mistake is to say '我在酒嫁里' instead of '我在酒窖里' (I am in the wine cellar). Always remember the context of storage for 窖.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 窖
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Grammar Patterns of 窖
窖 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
参观酒____前，游客们先观看了有声的视频介绍。
Visitors are shown an audio-visual presen-tation before touring the cellars.
Example Sentences for 窖 (6)
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1
参观酒窖前，游客们先观看了有声的视频介绍。
cān guān jiǔ jiào qián， ， yóu kè mén xiān guān kàn le yǒu shēng de shì pín jiè。
Visitors are shown an audio-visual presen-tation before touring the cellars.
2
当我们往下走去地窖时，四周愈见阴冷潮湿。
dāng wǒ mén wǎng xià zǒu qù dì jiào shí， ， sì zhōu yù jiàn yīn lěng cháo。
Things are cooler and more damp as we descend to the cellar.
3
一支孤烛照亮着黑暗的地窖.
yī zhī gū zhú zhào liàng zháo hēi àn de dì jiào.
A solitary candle lightened the darkness of the cellar.
4
地窖里有几十斤冬贮大白菜.
dì jiào lǐ yǒu jī shí jīn dōng zhù dà bái cài.
There are dozens of cabbages stored in winter.
5
酿熟期的长短由地窖的主人决定。
niàng shú qī de cháng duǎn yóu dì jiào de zhǔ rén jué dìng。
The period of maturation is determined by the cellar master.
6
杰克从地窖中翻找出雪橇.
jié kè cóng dì jiào zhōng fān zhǎo chū xuě qiāo.
Jack dug his sled out of the cellar.
Cultural Notes for 窖
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, cellars are important for preserving food items, particularly in rural areas where refrigeration may not be available. This practice reflects the value placed on food preservation and waste reduction in Chinese society.
Word Family of 窖
Words Containing This Character4
地窖cellar
窖jiàocellar
酒窖wine cellar
冰窖icehouse
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 地窖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 窖
Make sure to use the fourth tone, pronounced sharply as 'jiào'.
Primarily, 窖 refers to storerooms for food and drink, but it can also include storage for other items in a broader sense.
Common phrases include '酒窖' (wine cellar) and '储藏窖' (storage cellar), both of which highlight its usage in specific contexts.
