(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #8987, Hard
gū(gu1) T1
1mumble, mutter, murmur; rumble
2(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
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March 24, 2026
咕gū(gu1)
The character 咕 (gū) primarily refers to sounds made when mumbling, muttering, or murmuring. It is also used to describe the rumbling sounds, such as those made by an empty stomach or certain birds. This character conveys a sense of low, indistinct sound, often implying something soft or subdued.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#8987DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound represented by 咕 can be associated with hunger, as it mimics the sound of a stomach rumbling. This sound is often humorously referenced in cartoons and children's stories when characters are hungry.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sleepy bird (the sound of 咕 resembles a soft cooing) mumbling in a nest. Visualize the bird’s round body (the character's round shape) as it softly murmurs, representing the gentle sounds of murmuring or a rumbling stomach.
Meanings of 咕
gū(gu1)
1mumble, mutter, murmur; rumble
2(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 咕
咕Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 咕
Podcast: 咕
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AI Study Notes for 咕
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sleepy bird (the sound of 咕 resembles a soft cooing) mumbling in a nest. Visualize the bird’s round body (the character's round shape) as it softly murmurs, representing the gentle sounds of murmuring or a rumbling stomach.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 咕 with similar-sounding characters. It's generally informal, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include 咕噜 (gūlū), which implies a continuous murmur or rumble, especially of a stomach.
HSK Study Tips
Although 咕 is not at a specific HSK level, it connects to HSK vocabulary that describes sounds and feelings. Students should focus on the sounds it represents and practice using it in phrases to describe various contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound represented by 咕 can be associated with hunger, as it mimics the sound of a stomach rumbling. This sound is often humorously referenced in cartoons and children's stories when characters are hungry.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 咕 for louder or more distinct sounds instead of its intended soft or muted context. For example, saying '咕咕叫' (gūgū jiào) when referring to a loud noise is incorrect; it should be used for softer sounds.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咕
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Grammar Patterns of 咕
咕 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. It carries 2 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
他们所谓的回答不过是表示承认的____哝罢了。
Their replies were no more than grunts of acknowledgement.
Example Sentences for 咕 (10)
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1
他们所谓的回答不过是表示承认的咕哝罢了。
tā mén suǒ wèi de huí dá bù guò shì biǎo shì chéng rèn de gū nóng bà le。
Their replies were no more than grunts of acknowledgement.
McGuire took a long swig from his bottle of bitter lemon.
3
尽管他只是在咕哝，可是他的措词却让罗德妮恼火。
jìn guǎn tā zhī shì zài gū nóng， ， kě shì tā de cuò cí què ràng luó dé nī nǎo。
Although he was only grumbling, his choice of words made Rodney angry.
4
没几分钟，我就走开了，留下他们在那儿叽里咕噜地说个不停。
méi jī fēn zhōng， ， wǒ jiù zǒu kāi， le ， liú xià tā mén zài nà ér jī lǐ gū lū dì shuō gè。
After a minute or two I left them there jabbering away.
5
她能听到那个老妇人小声咕哝说考虑考虑。
tā néng tīng dào nà gè lǎo fù rén xiǎo shēng gū nóng shuō kǎo lǜ kǎo lǜ。
She can hear the old woman muttering about consideration.
6
那辆劳斯莱斯沿着乡村小路咕隆隆地开走了。
nà liàng láo sī lái sī yán zháo xiāng cūn xiǎo lù gū lóng lóng dì kāi zǒu le。
The Rolls Royce purred down the country road.
7
他咕哝了些什么，然后食物丝毫未动就进了起居室。
tā gū nóng le xiē shí mó， ， rán hòu shí wù sī háo wèi dòng jiù jìn le qǐ jū。
He murmured something, then, food left untouched, went into the sitting-room.
8
那个女孩儿叽里咕噜地说着，谁也没听懂。
nà gè nǚ hái ér jī lǐ gū lū dì shuō zháo， ， shuí yě méi tīng。
The girl jabbered incomprehensibly.
9
鸽子们低声咕咕地叫着，扑扇着翅膀飞进飞出。
gē zǐ mén dī shēng gū gū dì jiào zháo， ， pū shàn zháo chì bǎng fēi jìn fēi。
Pigeons fluttered in and out, cooing gently.
10
我的肚子咕咕叫。
wǒ de dù zǐ gū gū jiào。
My stomach growled.
Cultural Notes for 咕
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the sound represented by 咕 can be associated with hunger, as it mimics the sound of a stomach rumbling. This sound is often humorously referenced in cartoons and children's stories when characters are hungry.
Word Family of 咕
Words Containing This Character11
咕gū(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc
嘀咕to mutter
咕噜rumbling咕嚕
咕哝to murmur咕噥
咕咚splash
叽里咕噜(onom.) to jabber嘰里咕嚕
犯嘀咕to hesitate
叽哩咕噜(onom.) to jabber嘰哩咕嚕
黑咕隆咚pitch-black
咕唧to whisper
唧咕(onom.) whisper
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 咕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咕
咕 is often used to describe soft, indistinct sounds, like mumbling or the rumbling of a stomach.
No, 咕 is typically used in informal contexts and is not suitable for formal writing.
You can use it in phrases like '我肚子咕咕叫' (wǒ dùzi gūgū jiào), which means 'My stomach is rumbling.'
