Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
堠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
堠hòubattlement, rampartg, 12 strokes, radical 土
堠hòumounds for beaconsunknown, 12 strokes, radical 土
hòu(hou4)hou T4
  1. 1battlement, rampart
  2. 2mounds for beacons
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

堠hòu(hou4)

The character 堠 (hòu) refers to a type of fortification, specifically battlements or ramparts, often associated with defensive structures. It can also denote mounds used for beacons, indicating its connection to military and signaling contexts.

Strokes12Radical土
Cultural note

In ancient Chinese military strategy, fortifications like those described by 堠 were crucial for defense against invasions, reflecting the importance of protective structures in Chinese history.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall fortress wall with battlements and beacons on top, where the '土' (earth) radical represents the ground and the '后' (hòu) part signifies something that comes after, like a protective barrier. Picture soldiers watching from the ramparts as beacons signal their presence.

Meanings of 堠

hòu(hou4)
1battlement, rampart
2mounds for beacons
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 堠 means.

About 堠

堠Simplified
12Strokes
土Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 堠

JasonAmy

Podcast: 堠

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 堠

Usage Notes

This character is quite specialized and may not be widely used in everyday conversation. It's mostly encountered in historical or literary contexts, so learners should ensure they understand its specific application to avoid confusion with more common terms. Tone is crucial; mispronouncing hòu can change its meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 堠 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it can be beneficial for learners familiar with HSK Level 5-6 vocabulary related to history and architecture. Focus on its components to enhance recognition of similar characters in context.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 堠 with other characters that have similar pronunciations or meanings, such as 后 (hòu, meaning 'after' or 'behind'). Always check the context to ensure the correct character is used.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 堠

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 堠 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 堠 to you

Let me explain 堠 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 堠 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 堠?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 堠 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 堠

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)侯
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

堠 = 土 + 侯. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 堠

IDS Structure⿰土侯
堠Full character
=
土Tu3
left
侯Hou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 堠?

How to say battlement, rampart in Chinese

“battlement, rampart” in Chinese is堠hòu

The character 堠 (hòu) refers to a type of fortification, specifically battlements or ramparts, often associated with defensive structures. It can also denote mounds used for beacons, indicating its connection to military and signaling contexts.

When to use 堠

This character is quite specialized and may not be widely used in everyday conversation. It's mostly encountered in historical or literary contexts, so learners should ensure they understand its specific application to avoid confusion with more common terms. Tone is crucial; mispronouncing hòu can change its meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 堠 with other characters that have similar pronunciations or meanings, such as 后 (hòu, meaning 'after' or 'behind'). Always check the context to ensure the correct character is used.

Write 堠

堠

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 堠?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 堠

Words containing this character1
堠hòumounds for beacons

Frequently asked questions about 堠

No, 堠 is mostly found in historical texts and discussions about ancient military architecture.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 堠?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab