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區 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
area, district, region, ward; surnamex, 11 strokes, radical 匸, rank #42486, Very Hard
(qu1) T1
  1. 1area, district, region, ward; surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(qu1)

The character 區 (qū) refers to an area, district, or region, often used to denote specific administrative divisions within cities or countries. It can also signify a ward or neighborhood, commonly appearing in discussions about urban planning or geography. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#42486DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cities, districts or 區s play a crucial role in local governance and community identity. Each district often has its own unique culture, food, and festivals, contributing to the rich tapestry of urban life in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large map divided into different sections or areas, each marked as 區. The character's form resembles a boundary line enclosing a space, helping you remember that it represents a defined area. Think of 'qū' as 'queue' in English, like waiting in line to enter a specific district.

Meanings of 區

(qu1)
1area, district, region, ward; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 區

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 區

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AI Study Notes for 區

Quick Contrast

区 (qū) vs 地区 (dìqū) — use 区 for smaller, more specific administrative areas, while 地区 refers to larger regions or areas.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large map divided into different sections or areas, each marked as 區. The character's form resembles a boundary line enclosing a space, helping you remember that it represents a defined area. Think of 'qū' as 'queue' in English, like waiting in line to enter a specific district.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 區 (qū) with other similar characters like 区 (qū) which is the simplified form. In formal contexts, it is often used in legal or administrative discussions, while in informal contexts, it can refer to neighborhoods. Common collocations include 區域 (qūyù) meaning 'region' and 行政區 (xíngzhèngqū) meaning 'administrative district.'

HSK Study Tips

While 區 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it is relevant for learners advancing beyond HSK Level 3. Focus on recognizing its components and how it interacts with other characters, such as 行 (xíng) in 行政 (administration) to enhance comprehension of urban-related vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cities, districts or 區s play a crucial role in local governance and community identity. Each district often has its own unique culture, food, and festivals, contributing to the rich tapestry of urban life in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 區 in contexts where the simplified 区 is more appropriate, especially when communicating with those from mainland China. For example, saying '我住在區' instead of '我住在区' when writing in simplified Chinese is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 區

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Etymology of 區

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 區. Depicts a group of things (品) in an enclosed area.

Memory Hint

A place 匸 where many mouths 品 live

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 區?

Decomposition of 區

IDS Structure⿷匸品
Full Character
=
xi4
enclosing
pin3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 區?

Write 區

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

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Cultural Notes for 區

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cities, districts or 區s play a crucial role in local governance and community identity. Each district often has its own unique culture, food, and festivals, contributing to the rich tapestry of urban life in China.

Word Family of 區

Words Containing This Character20
Ōuarea
地区dìqūlocal地區
区域qūyùarea區域
社区shèqūcommunity社區
区别qūbiédifference區別
街区block (between streets)街區
小区xiǎoqūneighborhood小區
市区shìqūdowntown市區
特区abbr. for 特別行政區|特别行政区特區
郊区jiāoqūoutskirts郊區
禁区jìnqūrestricted area禁區
区分qūfēnto differentiate區分
城区chéngqūcity district城區
山区shānqūmountain area山區
开发区kāifāqūdevelopment zone開發區
自治区autonomous region, namely: Inner Mongolia 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区, Guangxi 廣西壯族自治區|广西壮族自治区, Tibet 西藏自治區|西藏自治区, Ningxia 寧夏回族自治區|宁夏回族自治区, Xinjiang 新疆維吾爾自治區|新疆维吾尔自治区自治區
辖区administrative region轄區
景区jǐngqūscenic area景區
园区(industrial or technology) park園區
区间interval (math.)區間
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 区 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 區

區 is the traditional form used in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong, while 区 is the simplified form used in mainland China.