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钴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钴gǔcobalt; clothes-ironng, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #32399, Very Hard
钴gǔcobalt (chemistry)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #32399, Very Hard
钴gǔTaiwan pr. [gu1]unknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #32399, Very Hard
gǔ(gu3) T3
  1. 1cobalt; clothes-iron
  2. 2cobalt (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钴(鈷)gǔ(gu3)

The character 钴 (gǔ) refers to cobalt, a chemical element used in various applications such as batteries and pigments. In some contexts, it can also relate to the term for clothes-iron, reflecting its metallic properties. This character is primarily used in scientific and industrial contexts.

Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#32399DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Cobalt is significant in Chinese industry, especially in battery production and ceramics, connecting to China’s advancements in technology and manufacturing.

Memory Tip

Imagine a blue cobalt-colored coat hanging on an iron clothes rack. The blue color reminds you of the 'gǔ' sound, as cobalt is often associated with blue pigments in art and industry.

Meanings of 钴

gǔ(gu3)
1cobalt; clothes-iron
2cobalt (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钴

钴Simplified
鈷Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钴

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钴

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钴

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 钴 (gǔ) with other metal-related characters such as 铁 (tiě, iron) or 铜 (tóng, copper). It is primarily used in formal or technical contexts, so be cautious when using it in casual conversation. It often collocates with words related to chemistry and materials science.

HSK Study Tips

Though 钴 (gǔ) is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 terms related to metals and science. Students should focus on recognizing the character in scientific texts and understanding its pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钴 (gǔ) with 锅 (guō, pot) due to similar phonetics. Remember, 钴 specifically refers to cobalt, while 锅 relates to kitchenware.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钴

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Etymology of 钴

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 古 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈷.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)古
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 钴

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 古 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈷.

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half古 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 钴? 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 钴?

Decomposition of 钴

IDS Structure⿰钅古
钴Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
古Gu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钴?

How to say cobalt; clothes-iron in Chinese

“cobalt; clothes-iron” in Chinese is钴gǔ

The character 钴 (gǔ) refers to cobalt, a chemical element used in various applications such as batteries and pigments. In some contexts, it can also relate to the term for clothes-iron, reflecting its metallic properties. This character is primarily used in scientific and industrial contexts.

When to use 钴

Common mistakes include confusing 钴 (gǔ) with other metal-related characters such as 铁 (tiě, iron) or 铜 (tóng, copper). It is primarily used in formal or technical contexts, so be cautious when using it in casual conversation. It often collocates with words related to chemistry and materials science.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 钴 (gǔ) with 锅 (guō, pot) due to similar phonetics. Remember, 钴 specifically refers to cobalt, while 锅 relates to kitchenware.

Write 钴

钴

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 钴

Words Containing This Character1
钴gǔTaiwan pr. [gū]鈷
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钴 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钴

钴 is primarily used in the production of batteries and pigments.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 钴?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.