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閨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
閨guīwomen's quarters; lady's apartmentx, 14 strokes, radical 門
guī(gui1)gui T1
  1. 1women's quarters; lady's apartment
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March 24, 2026

閨guī(gui1)

The character 閨 (guī) refers to the private quarters or apartment designated for women, particularly in traditional Chinese households. It often symbolizes a space of intimacy, domesticity, and sometimes, refinement associated with women.

Strokes14Radical門
Cultural note

In ancient China, the 閨 was not just a physical space but also a reflection of women's roles in the family and society, often associated with marriage and motherhood. The concept underscores the value placed on women's domestic life in traditional Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a grand, ornate door (the radical 門, meaning door) opening to a secret, luxurious room just for women—this is the 'ladies’ quarters' or 閨. The sound 'guī' can be remembered by picturing a graceful lady saying 'guys, step aside, this is my domain!'

Meanings of 閨

guī(gui1)
1women's quarters; lady's apartment
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 閨

閨Simplified
14Strokes
門Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 閨

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Podcast: 閨

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AI study notes for 閨

Usage Notes

This term is mostly used in literary or historical contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that pertain to men or public spaces. It often appears in phrases related to women's roles in traditional society.

HSK Study Tips

Although 閨 is not part of the HSK curriculum, understanding it can enhance your grasp of cultural contexts in literature and history. Focus on related vocabulary that describes living spaces, such as 家 (jiā, home) and 室 (shì, room).

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 閨 in casual conversation, where more common terms like 房间 (fángjiān, room) would be more appropriate. Remember that 閨 is more formal and culturally specific.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 閨

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Etymology of 閨

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

Phonosemantic compound. 门 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound. Simplified form of 閨.

Memory hint

gate

Semantic (meaning)門
+
Phonetic (sound)圭
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

閨 = 門 + 圭. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 閨

IDS Structure⿵門圭
閨Full character
=
門men2
enclosing
圭gui1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 閨?

How to say women's quarters; lady's apartment in Chinese

“women's quarters; lady's apartment” in Chinese is閨guī

The character 閨 (guī) refers to the private quarters or apartment designated for women, particularly in traditional Chinese households. It often symbolizes a space of intimacy, domesticity, and sometimes, refinement associated with women.

When to use 閨

This term is mostly used in literary or historical contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that pertain to men or public spaces. It often appears in phrases related to women's roles in traditional society.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 閨 in casual conversation, where more common terms like 房间 (fángjiān, room) would be more appropriate. Remember that 閨 is more formal and culturally specific.

Write 閨

閨

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

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Word Family of 閨

Words containing this character10
闺guīboudoir閨
闺女guīnümaiden閨女
闺房guīfángboudoir閨房
深闺shēnguīboudoir深閨
大家闺秀dàjiāguīxiùgirl from a wealthy family大家閨秀
闺秀guīxiùwell-bred young lady閨秀
闺阁guīgélady's chamber閨閣
香闺xiāngguīa woman's rooms香閨
黄花闺女huánghuāguīnǚmaiden黃花閨女
闺门旦guīméndànyoung unmarried lady role in Chinese opera閨門旦
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 閨

What does 闺 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 閨

While it originates from historical contexts, it may appear in literary works or discussions about traditional culture.

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