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March 24, 2026
钩(鈎)gōu(gou1)
The character 钩 (gōu) primarily means 'hook' and can refer to various types of hooks used in sewing, crocheting, or fishing. It also denotes a check mark or tick, which signifies correctness or affirmation. In contexts like sewing, it implies the action of hooking or linking materials together.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#6221DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hooks are not only practical tools but also symbolic of connection and securing relationships, as seen in traditional crafts and fishing practices that date back centuries.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant hook (钩) pulling together two pieces of fabric. The character has a hook shape at the top, reminiscent of its function to connect or secure. Picture a fisherman using a hook to catch fish, reinforcing the pronunciation 'gōu' with the sound of the fish being caught.
Meanings of 钩
gōu(gou1)
1to hook
2to sew
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 钩
钩Simplified
鈎Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6221Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 钩
Podcast: 钩
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AI Study Notes for 钩
Quick Contrast
钩 (gōu) vs 挂 (guà) — choose 钩 when referring specifically to a hook or the action of hooking, while 挂 denotes hanging something up.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant hook (钩) pulling together two pieces of fabric. The character has a hook shape at the top, reminiscent of its function to connect or secure. Picture a fisherman using a hook to catch fish, reinforcing the pronunciation 'gōu' with the sound of the fish being caught.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation; 'gōu' is the correct tone, as using 'gǒu' (狗) means 'dog.' It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in everyday language. Common collocations include 钩子 (gōuzi - hook) and 钩编 (gōubiān - crochet).
HSK Study Tips
Although 钩 is not yet included in HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other HSK words related to tools and actions, like 剪 (jiǎn - cut) and 绣 (xiù - embroider). Students should focus on recognizing its use in practical contexts like crafting or fishing.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hooks are not only practical tools but also symbolic of connection and securing relationships, as seen in traditional crafts and fishing practices that date back centuries.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钩 with similar-sounding words. For example, using it in a context related to dogs, such as '我有一个钩' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè gōu - I have a hook) instead of '狗' (gǒu - dog) can lead to confusion. Ensure correct tone usage to avoid misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钩
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Grammar Patterns of 钩
钩 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 8 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.
Lewis desperately needs to keep clear of Ruddock's big left hook.
7
他又瘦又高，长着鹰钩鼻。
tā yòu shòu yòu gāo， ， cháng zháo yīng gōu。
He was thin and tall, with a hooked nose.
8
他坚持主张不把它与其他中东问题挂钩。
tā jiān chí zhǔ zhāng bù bǎ tā yǔ qí tā zhōng dōng wèn tí guà gōu。
He insisted that there could be no linkage with other Mideast problems.
9
她提出要教我钩织东西。
tā tí chū yào jiào wǒ gōu zhī dōng xī。
She offered to teach me to crochet.
10
他感觉到有条鱼在扯钓钩。
tā gǎn jué dào yǒu tiáo yú zài chě diào gōu。
He felt a fish pull at his hook.
Cultural Notes for 钩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, hooks are not only practical tools but also symbolic of connection and securing relationships, as seen in traditional crafts and fishing practices that date back centuries.
Word Family of 钩
Words Containing This Character14
钩gōuto hook鉤
上钩to take the bait上鉤
钩子gōuzihook鉤子
脱钩to cut ties脫鉤
鱼钩fishhook魚鉤
挂钩guàgōuto couple掛鉤
拉钩pinky swear拉鉤
钩住to hook onto鉤住
吊钩suspended hook吊鉤
钓钩fishhook釣鉤
钩针crochet hook鉤針
搭钩a hook搭鉤
钩心斗角to fight and scheme against each other (idiom)鉤心鬥角
挠钩iron hook at the end a long pole撓鉤
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 钩
钩 can mean a hook used for fishing, sewing, or a check mark to indicate correctness.
钩 is a simplified variant of 鉤, and both have similar meanings, but 钩 is more commonly used in contemporary Chinese.
You can say '我需要一个钩来钩住这件衣服' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè gōu lái gōuzhù zhè jiàn yīfú) meaning 'I need a hook to hold this piece of clothing.'
