unknown, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35587, Very Hard
镐
gǎo
place name
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35587, Very Hard
镐
hào
stove; bright
n, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35587, Very Hard
镐
hào
a pick
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35587, Very Hard
镐
hào
place name
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35587, Very Hard
gǎo(gao3)
primary
T3
1stove; bright
2a pick
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March 24, 2026
镐(鎬)gǎo(gao3)
The character 镐 (gǎo) primarily refers to a type of pick or digging tool used in construction and mining. It can also denote 'stove' in some contexts, particularly in rural settings. While the usage as 'stove' is less common, the character is often associated with tools and brightness due to its components.
Strokes15Radical钅Frequency#35587DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In certain regions of China, particularly in rural areas, traditional stoves and tools like the pick are integral to farming and cooking practices, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright, shining pickaxe (镐) digging into the earth. The metal (金) part of the character represents strength, while the 'high' (高) sound connects to the idea of reaching for something bright and valuable beneath the surface.
Meanings of 镐
gǎo(gao3)
primary
1stove; bright
2a pick
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 镐
镐Simplified
鎬Traditional
15Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 镐
Podcast: 镐
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AI Study Notes for 镐
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bright, shining pickaxe (镐) digging into the earth. The metal (金) part of the character represents strength, while the 'high' (高) sound connects to the idea of reaching for something bright and valuable beneath the surface.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 镐 with similar characters that refer to other tools or concepts. It is generally used in informal contexts when referring to equipment, while 'stove' usage may appear in cooking contexts. Remember that the pronunciation can be tricky, as it has a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 镐 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to HSK Level 3 words related to tools or daily life. Students should focus on understanding the radicals and components that make up the character to enhance their grasp of similar words.
Cultural Note
In certain regions of China, particularly in rural areas, traditional stoves and tools like the pick are integral to farming and cooking practices, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 镐 with similar characters like 锹 (shovel) or 锤 (hammer). For instance, saying '我需要一个镐来挖土' (I need a pick to dig dirt) is correct, but using it to refer to a stove would be incorrect unless in a very specific context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 镐
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Practice writing 镐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 镐
镐 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
他在尖嘴____上靠了一会儿。
He rested on his pickaxe for a while.
Example Sentences for 镐 (1)
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1
他在尖嘴镐上靠了一会儿。
tā zài jiān zuǐ gǎo shàng kào le yī huì ér。
He rested on his pickaxe for a while.
Cultural Notes for 镐
🏮Cultural insight
In certain regions of China, particularly in rural areas, traditional stoves and tools like the pick are integral to farming and cooking practices, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle.
Word Family of 镐
Words Containing This Character5
镐gǎobright鎬
李昌镐Lee Chang-ho (1975-), South Korean Go player李昌鎬
镐头pickaxe鎬頭
洋镐pickaxe洋鎬
镐京Haojing (in modern Shaanxi, northwest of Chang'an county), capital of Western Zhou from c. 1050 BC鎬京
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 镐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 镐
镐 primarily means 'pick' or 'digging tool', but can also mean 'stove' in some contexts.
It is pronounced with a rising tone, as gǎo.
Yes, while it mainly refers to a pick, in some contexts it can also refer to a stove.
