cave, den, nest; hiding place; measure word for small animals
x, 14 strokes, radical 穴, rank #65674, Very Hard
wō(wo1) T1
1cave, den, nest; hiding place; measure word for small animals
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March 24, 2026
窩wō(wo1)
The character 窩 (wō) primarily refers to a cave, den, or nest, indicating a sheltered or hidden space where animals or people might reside. It can also be used as a measure word for small animals, emphasizing their compact and cozy nature. In daily conversation, it may denote a safe or comfortable place.
Strokes14Radical穴Frequency#65674DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a den or nest is often associated with safety and comfort, reflecting traditional values of family and home. The term can evoke imagery of rural life, where animals create nests or dens for their young.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cozy nest hidden within a cave. The shape of 窩 resembles a small, rounded shelter, and the pronunciation 'wō' sounds like 'woah,' as if you're surprised by finding a snug hiding place.
Meanings of 窩
wō(wo1)
1cave, den, nest; hiding place; measure word for small animals
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 窩
窩Simplified
14Strokes
穴Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 窩
Podcast: 窩
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AI Study Notes for 窩
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cozy nest hidden within a cave. The shape of 窩 resembles a small, rounded shelter, and the pronunciation 'wō' sounds like 'woah,' as if you're surprised by finding a snug hiding place.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 窩 with other similar-sounding words, such as 我 (wǒ) meaning 'I' or 'me.' This character is typically used in informal contexts, so be cautious when using it in formal writing. Collocations include phrases like 窩裡 (wō lǐ), meaning 'inside the den.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 窩 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to basic animal-themed words at a beginner level. Students should focus on its use as a measure word and in context with animals to enhance their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a den or nest is often associated with safety and comfort, reflecting traditional values of family and home. The term can evoke imagery of rural life, where animals create nests or dens for their young.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 窩 with 窗 (chuāng), meaning 'window.' For example, saying '我在窗里' (wǒ zài chuāng lǐ) instead of '我在窩里' (wǒ zài wō lǐ), which means 'I am inside the den' is incorrect. Make sure to distinguish between the two based on context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 窩
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Cultural Notes for 窩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of a den or nest is often associated with safety and comfort, reflecting traditional values of family and home. The term can evoke imagery of rural life, where animals create nests or dens for their young.
Word Family of 窩
Words Containing This Character20
窝wōnest窩
被窝quilt被窩
窝囊废wimp窩囊廢
窝囊annoyed窩囊
窝点lair窩點
酒窝dimple酒窩
蜂窝bee's nest蜂窩
腋窝armpit腋窩
窝心aggrieved窩心
窝藏to harbor窩藏
萨拉热窝Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina薩拉熱窩
眼窝eye socket眼窩
燕窝swallow's nest燕窩
一窝蜂like a swarm of bees一窩蜂
鸟窝bird's nest鳥窩
胳肢窝armpit胳肢窩
窝里斗internal strife (family, group, etc)窩裡鬥
安乐窝comfortable niche安樂窩
贼窝thieves' lair賊窩
蜂窝煤hexagonal household coal briquet蜂窩煤
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 窝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 窩
You can use 窩 with small animals like 鸟 (niǎo - bird) or 猫 (māo - cat), e.g., 一窩鸟 (yī wō niǎo) meaning 'a nest of birds.'
Generally, 窩 is more suited for informal contexts or spoken language rather than formal writing.
Yes, it can also refer to a hiding place or a comfortable spot, often used in a more figurative sense.
