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March 24, 2026
苟Gǒu(Gou3)
The character 苟 (gǒu) has multiple meanings, primarily serving as a surname and also as a conditional word meaning 'if' or 'supposing.' Additionally, it implies carelessness or negligence, often used in contexts discussing temporary or frivolous actions. Its nuanced meanings can vary based on context, particularly in literary or colloquial expressions.
Strokes8Radical艹Frequency#17297DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the character 苟 often appears in philosophical texts, reflecting on themes of carelessness and the ephemeral nature of life. This connects to traditional views on mindfulness and the importance of living with intention.
Memory Tip
Imagine a careless dog (狗, gǒu) that is only concerned about temporary pleasures, like chasing a butterfly. The character 苟 combines the radical for grass (艹) on top, suggesting something fragile or fleeting, with the phonetic component 'gǒu,' reminding you of the dog’s carelessness.
Meanings of 苟
Gǒu(Gou3)
1if
2supposing
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 苟
苟Simplified
8Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#17297Frequency Rank
Podcast: 苟
Podcast: 苟
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AI Study Notes for 苟
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 苟 with similar-sounding characters, leading to misuse in sentences. It is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Be careful with tone; a mispronounced gǒu could lead to misunderstandings, especially in conditional statements.
HSK Study Tips
Although 苟 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, its meanings can help learners connect with other conditional phrases or words expressing negligence. Focus on how it can be used in hypothetical scenarios and practice forming sentences to reinforce understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 苟 with the character 狗 (gǒu), which means 'dog.' For example, saying '我苟去' instead of '我狗去' (I go with the dog) can lead to confusion. Ensure to differentiate their meanings and contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 苟
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Drill the tone of 苟 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 句 represents the sound.
1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
2The sound half句 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywild grass
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 苟? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 苟?
Decomposition of 苟
IDS Structure⿱艹句
苟Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
句gou1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 苟?
How to say surname Gou in Chinese
“surname Gou” in Chinese is苟Gǒu
The character 苟 (gǒu) has multiple meanings, primarily serving as a surname and also as a conditional word meaning 'if' or 'supposing.' Additionally, it implies carelessness or negligence, often used in contexts discussing temporary or frivolous actions. Its nuanced meanings can vary based on context, particularly in literary or colloquial expressions.
When to use 苟
Learners often confuse 苟 with similar-sounding characters, leading to misuse in sentences. It is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Be careful with tone; a mispronounced gǒu could lead to misunderstandings, especially in conditional statements.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 苟 with the character 狗 (gǒu), which means 'dog.' For example, saying '我苟去' instead of '我狗去' (I go with the dog) can lead to confusion. Ensure to differentiate their meanings and contexts.
Write 苟
苟
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Practice writing 苟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 苟
苟 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我明白你的观点，但恐怕我不能____同。
I see your point but I'm not sure I agree with you.
