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March 24, 2026
绸(綢)chóu(chou2)
绸 (chóu) refers to a type of light silk or silk cloth, commonly used in clothing and decorative items. It is often associated with luxury and softness, making it a popular choice in fashion and textiles. The term can also denote satin damask, highlighting its fine texture and quality.
Strokes11Radical纟Frequency#34187DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Silk has a deep historical significance in China, being a symbol of wealth and status since ancient times. The production of silk, particularly in regions like Suzhou, is a celebrated art form, highlighting the country's rich textile heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a soft, flowing silk ribbon that is so light it dances in the air. The character 绸 combines the 'thread' radical (纟) that signifies textiles with 'superior' elements, evoking the luxurious feel of light silk. Picture a tailor (the character's pronunciation 'chóu' sounds like 'show') showcasing beautiful silk garments to entice buyers.
Meanings of 绸
chóu(chou2)
1(light) silk
2silk cloth, satin damask
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 绸
绸Simplified
綢Traditional
11Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#34187Frequency Rank
匹Measure Word
Podcast: 绸
Podcast: 绸
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AI Study Notes for 绸
Quick Contrast
绸 (chóu) vs 缎 (duàn) — use 绸 for light silk fabrics, while 缎 refers specifically to satin, which is heavier and has a different finish.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a soft, flowing silk ribbon that is so light it dances in the air. The character 绸 combines the 'thread' radical (纟) that signifies textiles with 'superior' elements, evoking the luxurious feel of light silk. Picture a tailor (the character's pronunciation 'chóu' sounds like 'show') showcasing beautiful silk garments to entice buyers.
Usage Notes
When using 绸, be mindful of the context; it is often used in formal settings, particularly in fashion discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with other fabrics, such as 布 (bù, cloth) or 纱 (shā, gauze). Common collocations include 绸缎 (chóu duàn, satin) and 绸带 (chóu dài, silk ribbon).
HSK Study Tips
While 绸 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is related to other textile terms that learners might encounter. Focus on understanding the structure of the character and recognizing its usage in context, especially in discussions about materials and clothing.
Cultural Note
Silk has a deep historical significance in China, being a symbol of wealth and status since ancient times. The production of silk, particularly in regions like Suzhou, is a celebrated art form, highlighting the country's rich textile heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 绸 with 纱 (shā), which is gauze, due to the similarity in texture. It's important to remember that 绸 specifically refers to a light silk quality, while 纱 denotes a different fabric type.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绸
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Grammar Patterns of 绸
绸 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 2 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.
He was wearing a cream silk shirt and a tartan golfing cap.
8
她的连衣裙是蓝丝绸的，分量很轻，领口开得非常漂亮。
tā de lián yī qún shì lán sī chóu de， ， fēn liáng hěn， qīng ， lǐng kǒu kāi dé fēi cháng。
Her dress was of blue silk, quite light, and becomingly open at the neck.
9
她穿着紫绿相间的绸缎衣服。
tā chuān zháo zǐ lǜ xiāng jiān de chóu duàn yī fú。
She wore purple and green silk.
10
索比跨进店门, 拿起绸伞,漫不经心地退了出来.
suǒ bǐ kuà jìn diàn mén, , ná qǐ chóu, sǎn , màn bù jīng xīn dì tuì le.
Soapy stepped inside, secured the umbrella and sauntered off with It'slowly.
Cultural Notes for 绸
🏮Cultural insight
Silk has a deep historical significance in China, being a symbol of wealth and status since ancient times. The production of silk, particularly in regions like Suzhou, is a celebrated art form, highlighting the country's rich textile heritage.
Word Family of 绸
Words Containing This Character10
丝绸sīchóusilk絲綢
绸chóu(light) silk綢
未雨绸缪to prepare for a rainy day未雨綢繆
丝绸之路the Silk Road絲綢之路
绸缎satin綢緞
塔夫绸taffeta塔夫綢
绸子silk綢子
绸缪to be sentimentally attached to sb or sth綢繆
府绸poplin (cotton cloth used for shirts)府綢
绵绸rough-textured fabric of waste silk綿綢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 丝绸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 绸
绸 (chóu) refers to a type of silk fabric, while 真丝 (zhēn sī) means 'real silk' and indicates authenticity. All 绸 is silk, but not all silk is considered 绸.
绸 is pronounced as 'chóu' with a rising tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the 'o' to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
绸 specifically refers to light silk or silk cloth. For heavier or different types of silk, other terms like 丝绸 (sīchóu) might be more appropriate.
