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March 24, 2026
窟kū(ku1)
The character 窟 (kū) refers to a hole or cave, often used to describe underground spaces such as cellars. It can convey a sense of depth or enclosure, commonly found in contexts discussing natural formations or storage areas.
Strokes13Radical穴Frequency#15394DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, caves are often associated with folklore and historical figures, such as those found in the famous caves of Dunhuang, which are rich in Buddhist art and history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'cave' shaped like the character 窟, with the two horizontal lines representing the top of a cave entrance, and the vertical lines depicting the walls. The sound 'kū' resembles the noise of an echoing cave, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 窟
kū(ku1)
1hole, cave; cellar; underground
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 窟
窟Simplified
13Strokes
穴Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 窟
Podcast: 窟
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AI Study Notes for 窟
Quick Contrast
洞 (dòng) — use 窟 (kū) for underground spaces with a sense of enclosure, while 洞 (dòng) refers more generally to any hole or opening.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'cave' shaped like the character 窟, with the two horizontal lines representing the top of a cave entrance, and the vertical lines depicting the walls. The sound 'kū' resembles the noise of an echoing cave, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 窟 with similar characters like 洞 (dòng), which also means cave but can imply a different context. 窟 is more informal and typically used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
Though 窟 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects to words related to natural features or places, such as 洞 (dòng) and 洞穴 (dòngxué, cave). Focus on pronunciation and the difference in usage contexts to enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, caves are often associated with folklore and historical figures, such as those found in the famous caves of Dunhuang, which are rich in Buddhist art and history.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 窟 with other similar characters like 穴 (xué), which means hole or cave but is often used in different contexts. For instance, saying '我去找一个穴' instead of '我去找一个窟' would be incorrect in casual contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 窟
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Grammar Patterns of 窟
窟 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
这个贫民____里的人们过着多么令人悲惨的生活啊!
What a wretched existence the people in the slum lead!
Example Sentences for 窟 (4)
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1
这个贫民窟里的人们过着多么令人悲惨的生活啊!
zhè gè pín mín kū lǐ de rén mén guò zháo duō mó líng rén bēi cǎn de shēng huó ā!
What a wretched existence the people in the slum lead!
2
最后我把这件旧外套的肘部磨出了窟窿.
zuì hòu wǒ bǎ zhè jiàn jiù wài tào de zhǒu bù mó chū le kū lóng.
I've worn through the elbow of this old coat at last.
3
住在贫民窟里的这些人生活多可怜 呀 !
zhù zài pín mín kū lǐ de zhè xiē rén shēng huó duō kě lián!
What a wretched existence these people lead in the slums!
4
现在,他正衔着旱烟管,扒在洞窟随手捡翻.
xiàn zài, , tā zhèng xián zháo hàn yān, guǎn , bā zài dòng kū suí shǒu.
With a pipe in his mouth , Taoist Wang jumbled through his new discoveries in the cave.
Cultural Notes for 窟
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, caves are often associated with folklore and historical figures, such as those found in the famous caves of Dunhuang, which are rich in Buddhist art and history.
Word Family of 窟
Words Containing This Character15
贫民窟slum housing貧民窟
窟kūcave
窟窿kūlonghole
石窟rock cave
洞窟a cave
莫高窟Mogao caves in Dunhuang 敦煌, Gansu
魔窟lit. nest of devils
龙门石窟Longmen Grottoes at Luoyang 洛陽|洛阳[Luòyáng], Henan龍門石窟
吴哥窟Angkor Wat, temple complex in Cambodia吳哥窟
云冈石窟Yungang Caves at Datong 大同, Shanxi 山西雲岡石窟
敦煌石窟Dunhuang caves in Gansu
狡兔三窟lit. a crafty rabbit has three burrows
销金窟money squandering establishment (e.g. gambling den, brothel etc)銷金窟
窟窿眼small hole
四大石窟the four great caves, namely: Longmen Grottoes 龍門石窟|龙门石窟[LóngménShíkū] at Luoyang, Henan, Yungang Caves 雲岡石窟|云冈石窟[YúngāngShíkū] at Datong, Shanxi, Mogao Caves 莫高窟[Mògāokū] at Dunhuang, Gansu, and Mt Maiji Caves 麥積山石窟|麦积山石窟[MàijīShānShíkū] at T
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 贫民窟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 窟
You can say '这个地方有一个大窟' (This place has a big cave).
It is not as commonly used as some other words for cave, but it is still understood in casual conversation.
While both mean cave, 窟 is more informal and typically refers to specific types of caves or holes, whereas 洞 is more general.
