Meanings of 鳏
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About 鳏
Podcast: 鳏
Podcast: 鳏
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AI study notes for 鳏
鳏 (guān, widower) vs 孤独 (gūdú, lonely) — use 鳏 when specifically referring to a widower or bachelor, while 孤独 emphasizes the feeling of loneliness.
When using 鳏, it is important to remember that it specifically refers to a widowed man and may not be suitable for informal contexts. Learners often confuse it with other terms for single men; remember that 鳏 carries a deeper emotional weight than simply being unmarried.
Although 鳏 is not an HSK level word, it connects with themes of family and relationships found in beginner vocabulary. Focus on understanding how personal status is expressed in Chinese, as this will help with broader conversational skills.
Learners may confuse 鳏 with other similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly for unmarried women. For instance, using 鳏 to describe a single female would be incorrect; instead, use 寡 for a widowed woman.
Pronunciation of 鳏
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Etymology of 鳏
fish
Origin
鳏 = 鱼 + 眔. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 鳏
Parts
Which of these is part of 鳏?
How to say huge fish; widower; bachelor in Chinese
“huge fish; widower; bachelor” in Chinese is鳏
The character 鳏 (guān) primarily denotes a widower, reflecting a man whose spouse has passed away. It can also refer to a bachelor or a man without a partner, often carrying a nuance of solitude. In some contexts, it may relate to huge fish, but its usage as a term for a single man is more prevalent.
When to use 鳏
When using 鳏, it is important to remember that it specifically refers to a widowed man and may not be suitable for informal contexts. Learners often confuse it with other terms for single men; remember that 鳏 carries a deeper emotional weight than simply being unmarried.
鳏 or something close to it
鳏 (guān, widower) vs 孤独 (gūdú, lonely) — use 鳏 when specifically referring to a widower or bachelor, while 孤独 emphasizes the feeling of loneliness.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 鳏 with other similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly for unmarried women. For instance, using 鳏 to describe a single female would be incorrect; instead, use 寡 for a widowed woman.
Write 鳏
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Practice writing 鳏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 鳏
鳏 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
那____夫未曾再娶.
The widower did not remarry.
Example sentences for 鳏 (1)
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “The widower did not remarry.”
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Word Family of 鳏
Words with 鳏
What does 鳏夫 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 鳏
No, 鳏 specifically refers to men who are widowed or unmarried, while the term for a widowed woman is 寡 (guǎ).
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