unknown, 7 strokes, radical 虫, rank #57702, Very Hard
qiú(qiu2) T2
1young dragon
2young dragon with horns
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March 24, 2026
虬(虯)qiú(qiu2)
The character 虬 (qiú) refers to a young dragon, often depicted as having horns. It is used in literary contexts to evoke imagery of strength and mythical creatures, particularly in Chinese folklore where dragons symbolize power and auspiciousness.
Strokes7Radical虫Frequency#57702DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dragons are revered as symbols of power, good fortune, and authority, often associated with emperors. The concept of a young dragon, like 虬, highlights themes of potential and strength in traditional stories.
Memory Tip
Imagine a young dragon with curled horns (the shape of the character 虬) soaring through the skies. The 'q' in qiú can remind you of the 'curled' shape of the dragon as it twists and turns in the air.
Meanings of 虬
qiú(qiu2)
1young dragon
2young dragon with horns
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 虬
虬Simplified
虯Traditional
7Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 虬
Podcast: 虬
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AI Study Notes for 虬
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a young dragon with curled horns (the shape of the character 虬) soaring through the skies. The 'q' in qiú can remind you of the 'curled' shape of the dragon as it twists and turns in the air.
Usage Notes
This term is rarely used in daily conversation and is more common in poetry or literature. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with other dragon-related terms, such as 龙 (lóng), which is more commonly used for 'dragon' in general.
HSK Study Tips
Although 虬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK level vocabulary about nature and mythology. Students should focus on the character's components and its context within literary works to enhance their understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dragons are revered as symbols of power, good fortune, and authority, often associated with emperors. The concept of a young dragon, like 虬, highlights themes of potential and strength in traditional stories.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 虬 with other dragon characters like 龙 (lóng) due to their similar meanings. For example, mistakenly using 虬 in place of 龙 when discussing dragons in general is incorrect; use 龙 for general references.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虬
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Cultural Notes for 虬
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, dragons are revered as symbols of power, good fortune, and authority, often associated with emperors. The concept of a young dragon, like 虬, highlights themes of potential and strength in traditional stories.
Word Family of 虬
Words Containing This Character1
虬qiúyoung dragon with horns虯
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 虬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 虬
In modern contexts, 虬 is primarily found in literary works and is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
The correct pronunciation is 'qiú', with a rising tone.
No, 虬 specifically refers to a young or mythical dragon and is not used for actual creatures.
