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March 24, 2026
叩kòu(kou4)
The character 叩 (kòu) primarily means to knock or to strike, often used in contexts such as knocking on a door. It also has connotations of respect, as in bowing or kowtowing, which is a traditional gesture of reverence in Chinese culture. This character can convey both physical action and social etiquette depending on the context.
Strokes5Radical口Frequency#28831DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The act of kowtowing (叩头, kòu tóu) has deep roots in Chinese culture, especially in historical contexts of respect for elders and authority figures, often seen in traditional ceremonies and during festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person 'knocking' (叩) on a door, but instead of just knocking, they also bow deeply as a sign of respect. The left side, 口 (kǒu), looks like a mouth, representing the action of knocking, while the right side resembles a person bending forward, symbolizing bowing.
Meanings of 叩
kòu(kou4)
1to ask; to bow, to kowtow; to knock
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 叩
叩Simplified
5Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 叩
Podcast: 叩
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AI Study Notes for 叩
Quick Contrast
敲 (qiāo) — use 叩 (kòu) for formal or respectful knocking, while 敲 (qiāo) is more casual and general.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person 'knocking' (叩) on a door, but instead of just knocking, they also bow deeply as a sign of respect. The left side, 口 (kǒu), looks like a mouth, representing the action of knocking, while the right side resembles a person bending forward, symbolizing bowing.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 叩 with similar-sounding words. While it can be used in formal contexts, it is also common in everyday situations, such as asking for permission. A common collocation is 叩门 (kòu mén), meaning 'to knock on the door'.
HSK Study Tips
Though 叩 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be related to other action verbs in the lower HSK levels, such as 打 (dǎ, to hit) or 敲 (qiāo, to tap). Focus on pronunciation and the context of use to avoid confusion with these similar verbs.
Cultural Note
The act of kowtowing (叩头, kòu tóu) has deep roots in Chinese culture, especially in historical contexts of respect for elders and authority figures, often seen in traditional ceremonies and during festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 叩 with 敲 (qiāo), which also means to knock but is used more for tapping or striking lightly. For instance, saying '我叩桌子' instead of '我敲桌子' (I knock on the table) is incorrect; use 敲 for that context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 叩
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Grammar Patterns of 叩
叩 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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
他在讲话前先轻____了一下扩音器.
He gave a tap at the microphone before speaking.
Example Sentences for 叩 (4)
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1
他在讲话前先轻叩了一下扩音器.
tā zài jiǎng huà qián xiān qīng kòu le yī xià kuò yīn qì.
He gave a tap at the microphone before speaking.
2
他同时轻轻地叩击着几根指尖。
tā tóng shí qīng qīng dì kòu jī zháo jī gēn zhǐ jiān。
He tapped the ends of his fingers together.
3
肯咨狭死醋源蟛涣械叩木? 渲?
kěn zī xiá sǐ cù yuán péng huàn xiè kòu mù? ??
The top 11 tackled some classic tunes from the U. K.
4
她们行完礼, 瑞珏 又牵了 海臣 到红毡上去叩头.
tā mén háng wán lǐ, , ruì jué yòu qiān le hǎi chén dào hóng zhān.
Jui - chueh then brought forward her little son Hai - chen, to pay his respects.
Cultural Notes for 叩
🏮Cultural insight
The act of kowtowing (叩头, kòu tóu) has deep roots in Chinese culture, especially in historical contexts of respect for elders and authority figures, often seen in traditional ceremonies and during festivals.
Word Family of 叩
Words Containing This Character10
叩kòuto knock
叩头also written 磕頭|磕头[kētóu]叩頭
叩首to kowtow
叩拜to kowtow
叩门to knock on a door叩門
叩见to kowtow in salute叩見
三跪九叩to kneel three times and kowtow nine times (formal etiquette on meeting the emperor)
叩关to invade叩關
跪叩to kowtow
叩谒to visit (esp. one's superiors)叩謁
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 叩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 叩
In a social context, 叩 implies showing respect through actions like bowing or kowtowing.
It is commonly used to describe the action of knocking on doors or asking for permission.
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation.
