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彀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
gòuenough; quitezg, 13 strokes, radical 弓, Very Hard
gòuto draw a bow to the fullunknown, 13 strokes, radical 弓, Very Hard
gòuthe range of a bow and arrowunknown, 13 strokes, radical 弓, Very Hard
gòuold variant of 夠|够[gou4], enoughunknown, 13 strokes, radical 弓, Very Hard
gòu(gou4) T4
  1. 1enough; quite
  2. 2to draw a bow to the full
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
gòu(gou4)

The character 彀 (gòu) refers to the idea of sufficiency or adequacy, often used in contexts indicating that something is 'enough' or 'sufficient'. It can also relate to the full draw of a bow, emphasizing a sense of reaching a limit or maximum capacity.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The concept of sufficiency is deeply embedded in Chinese philosophy, where balance and moderation are valued. The bow metaphorically represents achieving one's full potential, a common theme in traditional Chinese arts and literature.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bow drawn back to its full extent, representing the maximum range or 'enough' power to hit a target. The components 彀 resemble a bow (the outer line) and the arrow (the inner line) poised for a shot, reinforcing the idea of enough energy to reach its goal.

Meanings of 彀

gòu(gou4)
1enough; quite
2to draw a bow to the full
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 彀

Simplified
13Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 彀

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 彀

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bow drawn back to its full extent, representing the maximum range or 'enough' power to hit a target. The components 彀 resemble a bow (the outer line) and the arrow (the inner line) poised for a shot, reinforcing the idea of enough energy to reach its goal.

Usage Notes

While 彀 is less commonly used in modern Mandarin, it can appear in literary or formal contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with 够 (gòu), which is more prevalent in everyday speech. Also, ensure correct pronunciation, as the tone can affect meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 彀 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to the HSK Level 2 word 够 (gòu), which means 'enough'. Students should focus on context and usage in literature to understand its nuances.

Cultural Note

The concept of sufficiency is deeply embedded in Chinese philosophy, where balance and moderation are valued. The bow metaphorically represents achieving one's full potential, a common theme in traditional Chinese arts and literature.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 彀 with 够, using 彀 incorrectly in everyday contexts. For example, saying '我需要彀的水' (I need enough water) should be corrected to '我需要够的水'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 彀

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Etymology of 彀

Decomposition of 彀

IDS Structure⿰⿱⿳士冖一弓殳
Full Character
=
Shi4
top
mi4
middle
yi1
bottom
Gong1
Shu1
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 彀?

Write 彀

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 彀

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of sufficiency is deeply embedded in Chinese philosophy, where balance and moderation are valued. The bow metaphorically represents achieving one's full potential, a common theme in traditional Chinese arts and literature.

Word Family of 彀

Words Containing This Character1
gòuto draw a bow to the full
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 彀 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 彀

No, 彀 is more likely to be found in literary texts rather than everyday speech.