unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #19996, Very Hard
酬
chóu
to return
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #19996, Very Hard
酬
chóu
to reply
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #19996, Very Hard
酬
chóu
to answer
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #19996, Very Hard
酬
chóu
old variant of 酬[chóu]
ng, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #19996, Very Hard
酬
chóu
old variant of 酬[chou2]
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #19996, Very Hard
chóu(chou2) T2
1to toast, to entertain; to reward, to compensate
2to repay
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March 24, 2026
酬(詶)chóu(chou2)
The character 酬 (chóu) primarily means to reward, compensate, or repay in various contexts. It can also refer to toasting or entertaining someone, often in social situations. This character is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, particularly in discussions about gratitude or reciprocation.
Strokes13Radical酉Frequency#19996DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of toasting is an important social ritual during gatherings, signifying respect and camaraderie. The character 酬 reflects this tradition of reciprocity, where one acknowledges and rewards the kindness of others.
Memory Tip
Imagine a banquet where a host raises a toast (酬) in gratitude, rewarding the guests with food and drink. The character 酬 resembles a person holding a glass while the '口' (kǒu) radical at the bottom represents the mouth, symbolizing the act of toasting.
Meanings of 酬
chóu(chou2)
1to toast, to entertain; to reward, to compensate
2to repay
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 酬
酬Simplified
詶Traditional
13Strokes
酉Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#19996Frequency Rank
Podcast: 酬
Podcast: 酬
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AI Study Notes for 酬
Quick Contrast
酬 (chóu) vs 报 (bào) — use 酬 for social contexts of rewarding or toasting, while 报 is more about reporting or informing.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone while pronouncing 酬, as it is pronounced with the second tone (chóu). Common collocations include 酬劳 (chóuláo - reward for work) and 酬情 (chóuqíng - reciprocate kindness). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words such as 出 (chū) meaning 'to go out'.
HSK Study Tips
酬 is not included in the current HSK levels but is beneficial for learners who aim to expand their vocabulary beyond basic conversational topics. Students should focus on its usage in formal settings, especially in business or hospitality contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 酬 with similar characters like 报 (bào), which means 'to report' or 'to retaliate'. For example, saying '我酬你' instead of '我报答你' (I repay you) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 酬
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Phonosemantic compound. 酉 represents the meaning and 州 represents the sound. Simplified form of 詶.
1The meaning half酉 carries the sense.
2The sound half州 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywine
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 酬? 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 酬?
Decomposition of 酬
IDS Structure⿰酉州
酬Full Character
=
酉you3
left
州zhou1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 酬?
How to say to toast, to entertain; to reward, to compensate in Chinese
“to toast, to entertain; to reward, to compensate” in Chinese is酬chóu
The character 酬 (chóu) primarily means to reward, compensate, or repay in various contexts. It can also refer to toasting or entertaining someone, often in social situations. This character is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, particularly in discussions about gratitude or reciprocation.
When to use 酬
Be careful with the tone while pronouncing 酬, as it is pronounced with the second tone (chóu). Common collocations include 酬劳 (chóuláo - reward for work) and 酬情 (chóuqíng - reciprocate kindness). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words such as 出 (chū) meaning 'to go out'.
酬 or something close to it
酬 (chóu) vs 报 (bào) — use 酬 for social contexts of rewarding or toasting, while 报 is more about reporting or informing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 酬 with similar characters like 报 (bào), which means 'to report' or 'to retaliate'. For example, saying '我酬你' instead of '我报答你' (I repay you) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 酬
酬
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Practice writing 酬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 酬
酬 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.
