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鉤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鉤gōuhook, barb, sickle; to hook, to linkzg, 13 strokes, radical 釒
gōu(gou1)gou T1
  1. 1hook, barb, sickle; to hook, to link
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March 24, 2026

鉤gōu(gou1)

The character 鉤 (gōu) refers to a hook or barb, often used to describe objects that have a curved or pointed end for catching or holding. In a broader sense, it can also mean to connect or link things together. This character is frequently used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as linking ideas or concepts.

Strokes13Radical釒
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, hooks can symbolize connection and relationships, often seen in traditional fishing practices where community and sustenance are linked. Understanding this character can deepen your appreciation for how physical tools relate to social ties.

Memory tip

Imagine a fisherman using a 鉤 (gōu) hook to catch fish. The top part of the character looks like the hook itself, while the bottom resembles a fish being caught. This visual connection helps you remember both the shape and meaning of the character.

Meanings of 鉤

gōu(gou1)
1hook, barb, sickle; to hook, to link
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 鉤 means.

About 鉤

鉤Simplified
13Strokes
釒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鉤

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Podcast: 鉤

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AI study notes for 鉤

Quick Contrast

钩 (gōu) vs 勾 (gōu) — use 鉤 for physical hooks or barbs, while 勾 is more often used for abstract connections or drawing.

Usage Notes

When using 鉤 (gōu), be aware that it can refer to both physical hooks and abstract connections. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 句 (jù), which means 'sentence.' Use 鉤 in informal contexts when talking about physical items, but it can also be appropriate in formal writing when discussing connections.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists but is useful for learners at higher levels. Focus on its applications in both concrete and abstract contexts, and how it connects with related characters like 连接 (liánjiē) meaning 'to connect.'

Common Mistakes

Learners often write 鉤 incorrectly by omitting the metal radical. For example, writing it as 勾 (gōu) instead, which has a different meaning. Always remember the metal component in 鉤 to convey the correct meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鉤

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Etymology of 鉤

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A metal 釒 hook 句; 句 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 鉤?

Decomposition of 鉤

IDS Structure⿰釒句
鉤Full character
=
釒jin1
left
句gou1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鉤?

How to say hook, barb, sickle; to hook, to link in Chinese

“hook, barb, sickle; to hook, to link” in Chinese is鉤gōu

The character 鉤 (gōu) refers to a hook or barb, often used to describe objects that have a curved or pointed end for catching or holding. In a broader sense, it can also mean to connect or link things together. This character is frequently used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as linking ideas or concepts.

When to use 鉤

When using 鉤 (gōu), be aware that it can refer to both physical hooks and abstract connections. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 句 (jù), which means 'sentence.' Use 鉤 in informal contexts when talking about physical items, but it can also be appropriate in formal writing when discussing connections.

鉤 or something close to it

钩 (gōu) vs 勾 (gōu) — use 鉤 for physical hooks or barbs, while 勾 is more often used for abstract connections or drawing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often write 鉤 incorrectly by omitting the metal radical. For example, writing it as 勾 (gōu) instead, which has a different meaning. Always remember the metal component in 鉤 to convey the correct meaning.

Write 鉤

鉤

Practice writing 鉤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 鉤

Words containing this character14
钩gōuto hook鉤
上钩shànggōuto take the bait上鉤
钩子gōuzihook鉤子
脱钩tuōgōuto cut ties脫鉤
鱼钩yúgōufishhook魚鉤
挂钩guàgōuto couple掛鉤
拉钩lāgōupinky swear拉鉤
钩住gōuzhùto hook onto鉤住
吊钩diàogōususpended hook吊鉤
钓钩diàogōufishhook釣鉤
钩针gōuzhēncrochet hook鉤針
搭钩dāgōua hook搭鉤
钩心斗角gōuxīndòujiǎoto fight and scheme against each other (idiom)鉤心鬥角
挠钩náogōuiron hook at the end a long pole撓鉤
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 鉤

What does 钩 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鉤

It is pronounced as 'gōu' with the first tone.

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