unknown, 8 strokes, radical 卜, rank #34567, Very Hard
卦
guà
one of the eight divinatory trigrams of the Book of Changes 易經|易经[Yi4 jing1]
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 卜, rank #34567, Very Hard
卦
guà
one of the sixty-four divinatory hexagrams of the Book of Changes 易經|易经[Yi4 jing1]
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 卜, rank #34567, Very Hard
guà(gua4) T4
1divination, fortune-telling
2divinatory diagram
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
卦guà(gua4)
The character 卦 (guà) refers to divination and is primarily associated with the ancient practice of fortune-telling in Chinese culture. It represents both a divinatory diagram or trigram used in the I Ching (Book of Changes) and the hexagrams that emerge from this practice. In contemporary usage, it often relates to discussions of fate and prediction.
Strokes8Radical卜Frequency#34567DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of 卦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, especially in the philosophical and spiritual traditions surrounding the I Ching, which has influenced various aspects of Chinese life, from decision-making to traditional medicine.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old sage consulting a divination chart under a full moon. The character 卦 (guà) can be visualized as a combination of the radical for 'divination' and the shape of a diagram, representing the method of gaining insight into the future. The sound 'guà' can be remembered as the sage's whisper as he contemplates the mysteries of fate.
Meanings of 卦
guà(gua4)
1divination, fortune-telling
2divinatory diagram
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 卦
卦Simplified
8Strokes
卜Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 卦
Podcast: 卦
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AI Study Notes for 卦
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old sage consulting a divination chart under a full moon. The character 卦 (guà) can be visualized as a combination of the radical for 'divination' and the shape of a diagram, representing the method of gaining insight into the future. The sound 'guà' can be remembered as the sage's whisper as he contemplates the mysteries of fate.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 卦 with similar-sounding words or characters related to fortune-telling. It is important to use 卦 specifically in contexts related to the I Ching or divination. Common collocations include 卦象 (guàxiàng, divinatory image) and 八卦 (bāguà, eight trigrams), which are frequently used in both formal discussions and informal conversations on fate.
HSK Study Tips
While 卦 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 5 and 6 words related to philosophy and traditional Chinese culture. Students should focus on understanding its application in the context of the I Ching and the broader implications of divination in Chinese thought.
Cultural Note
The concept of 卦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, especially in the philosophical and spiritual traditions surrounding the I Ching, which has influenced various aspects of Chinese life, from decision-making to traditional medicine.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 卦 in contexts unrelated to divination, such as casual conversations about luck. For example, saying '我今天运气不好，卦很差' (My luck is bad today, the divination is poor) is incorrect. Instead, use '运气不好' (bad luck) separately.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卦
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Grammar Patterns of 卦
卦 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 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
你从今天早上就变____了，是不是？
You've changed your tune since this morning, haven't you?
The jet-setting couple made frequent appearances in the gossip columns.
5
我们翻看他们的八卦时带着不洁的想法。
wǒ mén fān kàn tā mén de bā guà shí dài zháo bù jié de xiǎng fǎ。
We read the gossip written about them with prurient interest.
6
集体签约又变卦知春时代项目怎么了?
jí tǐ qiān yuē yòu biàn guà zhī chūn shí dài xiàng mù zěn mó le?
Collective contract they changed their mind what the item Zhichun era?
Cultural Notes for 卦
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 卦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, especially in the philosophical and spiritual traditions surrounding the I Ching, which has influenced various aspects of Chinese life, from decision-making to traditional medicine.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike Western practices of fortune-telling, which often focus on individual fate, Chinese divination through 卦 emphasizes harmony with the universe and understanding the natural order.
Word Family of 卦
Words Containing This Character7
八卦bāguàgossip
卦guàdivinatory diagram
变卦to change one's mind變卦
算卦fortune telling
八卦阵eight-trigram battle array八卦陣
卜卦fortune telling
八卦掌baguazhang (a form of Chinese boxing)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 八卦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 卦
卦 represents the divinatory diagrams used to interpret the patterns of change and predict outcomes.
You can say, '我想用卦来算命' (I want to use divination to tell my fortune).
Yes, 卦 is often referenced in discussions about fate, spirituality, and even in popular culture, relating to fortune-telling.
