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March 24, 2026
孥nú(nu2)
The character 孥 (nú) refers to one's children, offspring, or descendants. It is a more formal term often used in literary or historical contexts to denote lineage or familial relationships. While commonly used in written Chinese, it may not be as frequently heard in everyday conversations compared to simpler terms like '孩子' (háizi) for 'child.'
Strokes8Radical子Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of lineage and ancestry is significant, and terms like 孥 reflect the importance placed on family heritage and continuity. This character embodies the value of children and descendants in maintaining family honor and tradition.
Memory Tip
Imagine a family tree where the branches represent the parents (the radical '子' meaning 'child') and the leaves symbolize the children ('孥'). Visualize a nurturing scene where these leaves grow under the care of their branches, helping you remember 'nú' relates to offspring.
Meanings of 孥
nú(nu2)
1one's children
2child
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 孥
孥Simplified
8Strokes
子Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 孥
Podcast: 孥
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AI Study Notes for 孥
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a family tree where the branches represent the parents (the radical '子' meaning 'child') and the leaves symbolize the children ('孥'). Visualize a nurturing scene where these leaves grow under the care of their branches, helping you remember 'nú' relates to offspring.
Usage Notes
It's important to use 孥 in contexts that require a more formal or literary tone, as it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Avoid confusion with the more common term '孩子' (háizi); remember that 孥 specifically implies descendants or children in a lineage.
HSK Study Tips
Although 孥 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your grasp of familial terms at a higher level. Focus on how it connects with other family-related words, such as '父母' (parents) and '子女' (children), to build a richer vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of lineage and ancestry is significant, and terms like 孥 reflect the importance placed on family heritage and continuity. This character embodies the value of children and descendants in maintaining family honor and tradition.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 孥 with other terms like '孩子' (háizi) or use it in casual settings, leading to awkwardness. For example, saying '我有两个孥' (Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè nú) is incorrect; the correct term is '我有两个孩子' (Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè háizi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 孥
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Cultural Notes for 孥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of lineage and ancestry is significant, and terms like 孥 reflect the importance placed on family heritage and continuity. This character embodies the value of children and descendants in maintaining family honor and tradition.
Word Family of 孥
Words Containing This Character1
孥núchild
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 孥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 孥
No, 孥 is more often found in written texts and formal contexts rather than in casual speech.
It specifically denotes 'children' or 'offspring', distinguishing it from more general terms like '孩子' (child) or '子女' (children).
While it typically refers to children in general, it's understood to mean offspring, which can include one or more children.