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March 24, 2026
釦kòu(kou4)
The character 釦 (kòu) primarily refers to a button or clasp, often used in the context of clothing or accessories. It can also imply the act of engraving or etching something, highlighting a connection to craftsmanship and detail.
Strokes11Radical釒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, buttons and clasps are not just functional; they can also be decorative and signify status, especially in traditional clothing like the qipao, where intricate buttons are part of the design.
Memory Tip
Think of 釦 (kòu) as a 'knot' that holds things together. The top part resembles a button, and the bottom radical 钅 (metal) suggests something crafted from material, like metal buttons or clasps.
Meanings of 釦
kòu(kou4)
1button; buckle, clasp; to engrave
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 釦
釦Simplified
11Strokes
釒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 釦
Podcast: 釦
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AI Study Notes for 釦
Quick Contrast
扣 (kòu) - refers to the action of fastening or clasping, while 釦 (kòu) specifically denotes a button or clasp itself.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 釦 (kòu) as a 'knot' that holds things together. The top part resembles a button, and the bottom radical 钅 (metal) suggests something crafted from material, like metal buttons or clasps.
Usage Notes
This character is commonly used in everyday contexts, especially in fashion or tailoring. Be cautious; learners often confuse it with similar sounding characters but should remember that 釦 specifically relates to fastening. It's typically informal but can appear in written contexts discussing fashion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 釦 is not on the HSK list, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to clothing (like 衣服 yīfu) and accessories. Students should focus on pronunciation and context to avoid confusion with similar characters.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, buttons and clasps are not just functional; they can also be decorative and signify status, especially in traditional clothing like the qipao, where intricate buttons are part of the design.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 釦 as 'kǒu' instead of 'kòu.' Additionally, they might confuse it with the character 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth.' Remember, 釦 is used specifically for buttons and fastenings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 釦
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Cultural Notes for 釦
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, buttons and clasps are not just functional; they can also be decorative and signify status, especially in traditional clothing like the qipao, where intricate buttons are part of the design.
Word Family of 釦
Words Containing This Character20
扣kòuto fasten
折扣zhékòudiscount
扣除kòuchúto deduct
扣押kòuyāto detain
纽扣niǔkòubutton紐扣
扣留kòuliúto detain
扣子button釦子
回扣huíkòubrokerage
不折不扣a hundred percent
扣篮slam dunk扣籃
打折扣to give a discount
查扣to seize
扣球to spike
钮扣button鈕釦
扣人心弦kòurénxīnxiánto excite
克扣to dock剋扣
扣缴to withhold扣繳
扣杀to spike扣殺
扣发to deprive扣發
扣帽子power word
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 扣 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 釦
It is pronounced as 'kòu' with the fourth tone.
Yes, it generally refers to any kind of button or clasp, but context matters.
It's more common in informal contexts but can be used in discussions about fashion in formal writing.
