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March 24, 2026
蠱gǔ(gu3)
蠱 (gǔ) refers to a form of poison or venom and can also mean to bewitch or harm someone. It is often used in contexts involving negative influences or harmful effects, particularly in literature and folklore, where it may refer to curses or malevolent spells.
Strokes23Radical虫Frequency#98184DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of poisoning and witchcraft is deeply rooted in historical tales and traditional medicine. 蠱 is often associated with ancient practices of sorcery and is mentioned in texts about Taoist beliefs and practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'guy' (sounds like 'gǔ') who has a dangerous poison in his backpack. The word 蠱 looks like a bug (虫), which can be associated with venom or poison. Picture this guy using the bug to bewitch someone, emphasizing the dual meaning of harm and magic.
Meanings of 蠱
gǔ(gu3)
1poison, venom; to bewitch, to harm
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 蠱
蠱Simplified
23Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蠱
Podcast: 蠱
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AI Study Notes for 蠱
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'guy' (sounds like 'gǔ') who has a dangerous poison in his backpack. The word 蠱 looks like a bug (虫), which can be associated with venom or poison. Picture this guy using the bug to bewitch someone, emphasizing the dual meaning of harm and magic.
Usage Notes
蠱 is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in formal or literary contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words, and note that it typically carries a negative connotation. It often appears in phrases related to witchcraft or curses.
HSK Study Tips
Though 蠱 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it shares roots with other characters related to poison (毒) and harm (害). Students should focus on recognizing its context in classical texts or discussions about folklore to deepen their understanding of its connotations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of poisoning and witchcraft is deeply rooted in historical tales and traditional medicine. 蠱 is often associated with ancient practices of sorcery and is mentioned in texts about Taoist beliefs and practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 蠱 with the character for poison (毒), using it interchangeably. Remember that 蠱 has a broader meaning that includes bewitching and harming, while 毒 strictly refers to poison.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蠱
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Cultural Notes for 蠱
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of poisoning and witchcraft is deeply rooted in historical tales and traditional medicine. 蠱 is often associated with ancient practices of sorcery and is mentioned in texts about Taoist beliefs and practices.
Word Family of 蠱
Words Containing This Character3
蛊gǔto poison蠱
蛊惑to poison蠱惑
蛊惑人心to resort to demagogy蠱惑人心
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 蛊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蠱
蠱 is often used in literary or historical contexts, particularly in stories involving curses, witchcraft, or harmful intentions.
It is pronounced as gǔ, with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the tone to differentiate it from other similar-sounding words.
While 蠱 itself may not appear in many idioms, it is often used in discussions about curses or negative influences in Chinese folklore.
