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喾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
喾kùone of five legendary emperorsg, 12 strokes, radical 口
喾kùone of the five legendary emperors, also called 高辛氏unknown, 12 strokes, radical 口
kù(ku4)ku T4
  1. 1one of five legendary emperors
  2. 2one of the five legendary emperors, also called 高辛氏
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March 24, 2026

喾(嚳)kù(ku4)

The character 喾 (kù) refers to one of the five legendary emperors in Chinese mythology, specifically known as one of the early rulers of China. This figure is often associated with the establishment of civilization and governance in ancient times, contributing to the cultural narrative of authority and leadership in Chinese history.

Strokes12Radical口
Cultural note

喾 is associated with the legendary figure known as 高辛氏 (Gāo xīn shì), who is often revered in Chinese culture as a symbol of wisdom and leadership. This connection highlights the importance of legendary emperors in the formation of Chinese cultural identity.

Memory tip

Imagine a king (the legendary emperor) sitting on a throne, his voice booming (the sound 'kù' sounds like a king's decree). The character 喾 has the radical for speech (口) and a component that can remind you of grandeur, symbolizing the emperor's significant impact on society.

Meanings of 喾

kù(ku4)
1one of five legendary emperors
2one of the five legendary emperors, also called 高辛氏
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 喾

喾Simplified
嚳Traditional
12Strokes
口Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 喾

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AI study notes for 喾

Usage Notes

This character is primarily used in historical or literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful that it may come across as formal or archaic, so it’s best used in discussions about Chinese mythology or history. Ensure to pronounce it with the correct tone (kù) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 喾 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding its context enriches your knowledge of Chinese historical figures. Students at this level should focus on how this character connects with other characters related to rulers or historical narratives.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 喾 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, mixing it up with 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth,' is common due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 喾 specifically refers to a legendary emperor, not a common object or concept.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 喾

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Etymology of 喾

Decomposition of 喾

IDS Structure⿳⺍冖告
喾Full character
=
⺍xiao3
top
冖mi4
middle
告gao4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 喾?

How to say one of five legendary emperors in Chinese

“one of five legendary emperors” in Chinese is喾kù

The character 喾 (kù) refers to one of the five legendary emperors in Chinese mythology, specifically known as one of the early rulers of China. This figure is often associated with the establishment of civilization and governance in ancient times, contributing to the cultural narrative of authority and leadership in Chinese history.

When to use 喾

This character is primarily used in historical or literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful that it may come across as formal or archaic, so it’s best used in discussions about Chinese mythology or history. Ensure to pronounce it with the correct tone (kù) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 喾 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, mixing it up with 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth,' is common due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 喾 specifically refers to a legendary emperor, not a common object or concept.

Write 喾

喾

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

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Word Family of 喾

Words containing this character2
喾kùone of the five legendary emperors, also called 高辛氏嚳
帝喾dìkùDi Ku or Emperor Ku, one of the Five Legendary Emperors 五帝[wǔ​dì], great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor 黃帝|黄帝[Huáng​dì]帝嚳
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 喾

What does 帝喾 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 喾

喾 represents one of the five legendary emperors, contributing to the mythology of Chinese leadership.

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