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March 24, 2026
廓kuò(kuo4)
The character 廓 (kuò) signifies something that is broad, wide, or spacious. It can also imply an emptiness or an open space, often used in contexts such as describing landscapes or architectural structures. This term encapsulates both physical dimensions and abstract ideas of openness.
Strokes13Radical广Frequency#32485DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, the concept of 'open space' is significant, especially in gardens and courtyards where 廓 emphasizes harmony with nature. This reflects a cultural appreciation for balance and spaciousness in living environments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a vast, open courtyard (廓) where you can see everything around you. The radical '广' (meaning 'wide' or 'broad') resembles a house, suggesting a spacious area. Picture yourself standing in the middle of this courtyard, feeling the openness around you, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation 'kuò'.
Meanings of 廓
kuò(kuo4)
1big
2empty
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 廓 means.
About 廓
廓Simplified
13Strokes
广Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#32485Frequency Rank
Podcast: 廓
Podcast: 廓
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AI Study Notes for 廓
Quick Contrast
阔 (kuò) - use 廓 (kuò) for a more abstract or architectural sense of spaciousness, while 阔 (kuò) often refers to width or breadth in a more general context.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 廓 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This term is more formal and is often used in literary or descriptive contexts rather than casual conversations. It commonly collocates with words like '空间' (space) or '视野' (view).
HSK Study Tips
Though 廓 is not included in the HSK levels, it shares a conceptual relationship with HSK words like '宽' (kuān, wide) and '空' (kōng, empty). Students should focus on understanding the nuances of space and openness in various contexts to fully grasp this character's use.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 廓 with the character 脱 (tuō, to take off) due to similar pronunciation. Remember, 廓 relates to wide, open spaces, while 脱 pertains to removal or taking off.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 廓
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How Well Do You Know 廓?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 廓 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.
廓 = 广 + 郭. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 廓
IDS Structure⿸广郭
廓Full Character
=
广Guang3
enclosing
郭Guo1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 廓?
How to say big in Chinese
“big” in Chinese is廓kuò
The character 廓 (kuò) signifies something that is broad, wide, or spacious. It can also imply an emptiness or an open space, often used in contexts such as describing landscapes or architectural structures. This term encapsulates both physical dimensions and abstract ideas of openness.
When to use 廓
Be careful not to confuse 廓 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This term is more formal and is often used in literary or descriptive contexts rather than casual conversations. It commonly collocates with words like '空间' (space) or '视野' (view).
廓 or something close to it
阔 (kuò) - use 廓 (kuò) for a more abstract or architectural sense of spaciousness, while 阔 (kuò) often refers to width or breadth in a more general context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 廓 with the character 脱 (tuō, to take off) due to similar pronunciation. Remember, 廓 relates to wide, open spaces, while 脱 pertains to removal or taking off.
Write 廓
廓
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Practice writing 廓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 廓
廓 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他是个脸部轮____分明、皱纹明显的矮个子男人。
He's a very small man with a lined, craggy face.
Example Sentences for 廓 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他是个脸部轮廓分明、皱纹明显的矮个子男人。
tā shì gè liǎn bù lún kuò fēn míng、 、 zhòu wén míng xiǎn de ǎi gè zǐ nán。
He's a very small man with a lined, craggy face.
2
他摸着自己轮廓分明的下巴想了一会儿。
tā mō zháo zì jǐ lún kuò fēn míng de xià bā xiǎng le yī huì ér。
He thought for a moment, stroking his well-defined jaw.
3
阳光明亮刺眼，在地上投下轮廓分明的影子。
yáng guāng míng liàng cì yǎn， ， zài dì shàng tóu xià lún kuò fēn míng de yǐng。
The sunlight is white and blinding, throwing hard-edged shadows on the ground.
