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March 24, 2026
辜Gū(Gu1)
The character 辜 (gū) primarily represents a surname, Gu, in Chinese. It also conveys meanings associated with crime or sin, often used in legal or moral contexts. This character can express the idea of wrongdoing or an offense against moral or social norms.
Strokes12Radical辛Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of sin is tied to Confucian values where personal conduct and societal harmony are paramount. The character 辜 can evoke discussions about moral failures and the importance of rectitude.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'sinful' person carrying a large 'G' (for Gu) on their back, symbolizing the weight of their crimes. The radical 辶 (walking) suggests movement away from righteousness, reinforcing the idea of straying into sin.
Meanings of 辜
Gū(Gu1)
1crime
2sin
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 辜
辜Simplified
12Strokes
辛Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 辜
Podcast: 辜
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AI Study Notes for 辜
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sinful' person carrying a large 'G' (for Gu) on their back, symbolizing the weight of their crimes. The radical 辶 (walking) suggests movement away from righteousness, reinforcing the idea of straying into sin.
Usage Notes
While 辜 is primarily a surname, it is important to use it correctly in context, particularly when discussing moral or legal issues. Common collocations may include phrases related to crime or sin, such as '犯辜' (commit a sin). Be cautious of tone mistakes, as the pronunciation can be confused with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As this character is not included in HSK levels, focus on its meaning in relation to moral discussions and understand its use as a surname. Connect it with other characters related to morality or law at this level, such as 罪 (zuì - crime).
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of sin is tied to Confucian values where personal conduct and societal harmony are paramount. The character 辜 can evoke discussions about moral failures and the importance of rectitude.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 辜 with other similar characters like 罪 (zuì - crime). For example, saying '我犯了辜' (wǒ fànle gū) instead of '我犯了罪' (wǒ fànle zuì) to imply committing a crime is incorrect. Always ensure to use the character in the right context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 辜
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Grammar Patterns of 辜
辜 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 4 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
科尔曼坚称他是无____的。
Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.
Example Sentences for 辜 (5)
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1
科尔曼坚称他是无辜的。
kē ěr màn jiān chēng tā shì wú gū de。
Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.
2
他说滥杀无辜是不可原谅的。
tā shuō làn shā wú gū shì bù kě yuán liàng de。
He said the killing of innocent people was inexcusable.
Both groups on either side are just picking off innocent bystanders.
4
数百名无辜平民遭残杀.
shù bǎi míng wú gū píng mín zāo cán shā.
Hundreds of innocent civilians were cruelly slaughtered.
5
克里平坚称自己是无辜的。
kè lǐ píng jiān chēng zì jǐ shì wú gū de。
Crippen insisted on his innocence.
Cultural Notes for 辜
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of sin is tied to Confucian values where personal conduct and societal harmony are paramount. The character 辜 can evoke discussions about moral failures and the importance of rectitude.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, discussions of sin might center around religious contexts, while in Chinese, it often intersects with social harmony and personal responsibility.
Word Family of 辜
Compounds1
嫴
Words Containing This Character6
无辜wúgūinnocent無辜
辜负gūfùto let down辜負
辜Gūcrime
辜振甫Koo Chen-fu (1917-2005), Taiwanese businessman and diplomat
死有余辜death cannot wipe out the crimes (idiom); dreadful crimes that rankled even after the perpetrator is dead死有餘辜
辜鸿铭Ku Hung-ming or Gu Hongming (1857-1928), Malaysian man of letters, highly regarded for his literary works written mostly in English, and known for his monarchist views辜鴻銘
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 无辜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 辜
In a legal context, 辜 refers to an offense or crime, emphasizing moral wrongdoing.
Yes, 辜 is a recognized Chinese surname, although it may not be as common as others.
