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恪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
respectful, reverentv, 9 strokes, radical 忄, Very Hard
surname Keunknown, 9 strokes, radical 忄, Very Hard
scrupulousunknown, 9 strokes, radical 忄, Very Hard
(Ke4) T4
  1. 1respectful, reverent
  2. 2scrupulous
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(Ke4)

The character 恪 (kè) conveys a sense of respect and reverence, often used in contexts emphasizing scrupulous behavior or adherence to moral principles. It can describe someone who is meticulous and conscientious in their duties, reflecting a deep sense of responsibility and integrity.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of scrupulousness is highly valued, often linked to Confucian ideals of duty and respect for others. The character 恪 embodies this cultural ethos, emphasizing the importance of integrity in personal conduct.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person kneeling (the heart radical 心) in respect (恪) as they carefully tend to their duties, signifying their scrupulous nature. The character's form combines the heart (心) with a component that suggests restraint or carefulness, reminding you of the importance of respectful behavior.

Meanings of 恪

(Ke4)
1respectful, reverent
2scrupulous
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 恪

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 恪

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 恪

Quick Contrast

恪 (kè) vs 诚 (chéng): use 恪 when highlighting scrupulousness and adherence to duties, while 诚 denotes sincerity and honesty.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person kneeling (the heart radical 心) in respect (恪) as they carefully tend to their duties, signifying their scrupulous nature. The character's form combines the heart (心) with a component that suggests restraint or carefulness, reminding you of the importance of respectful behavior.

Usage Notes

This character is more formal and is typically used in written language rather than spoken. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you use it in contexts that highlight respect or scrupulousness, such as in a professional or academic setting.

HSK Study Tips

Although 恪 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to other words related to virtues and ethical behavior, which are crucial in understanding cultural nuances. Focus on its use in formal contexts and how it pairs with other characters that express moral attributes.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of scrupulousness is highly valued, often linked to Confucian ideals of duty and respect for others. The character 恪 embodies this cultural ethos, emphasizing the importance of integrity in personal conduct.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 恪 with other characters that sound similar, such as 客 (kè), which means 'guest.' For example, saying '我很客' instead of '我很恪' would be incorrect when trying to express a sense of scrupulousness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 恪

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Etymology of 恪

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 各 represents the sound. Simplified form of 愙.

Memory Hint

heart

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 恪?

Decomposition of 恪

IDS Structure⿰忄各
Full Character
=
xin1
left
ge4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 恪?

Write 恪

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

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Grammar Patterns of 恪

恪 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她这一辈子都____守这些原则。

She has cleaved to these principles all her life.

Example Sentences for 恪 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她这一辈子都恪守这些原则。

tā zhè yī bèi zǐ dū kè shǒu zhè xiē yuán zé。

She has cleaved to these principles all her life.
2
它的确能让你恪守某些公平原则。

tā de què néng ràng nǐ kè shǒu mǒu xiē gōng píng yuán zé。

It does hold you to certain standards of fairness.
3
直升机虽然已经挎起来?毋恪两耶飞行员到担呀揣无.

zhí shēng jī suī rán yǐ jīng kuà qǐ lái? ? wú kè liǎng yé fēi háng yuán dào dān yā chuǎi.

The wreckage has been recovered but the two pilots are still missing.

Cultural Notes for 恪

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of scrupulousness is highly valued, often linked to Confucian ideals of duty and respect for others. The character 恪 embodies this cultural ethos, emphasizing the importance of integrity in personal conduct.

Word Family of 恪

Words Containing This Character3
恪守to scrupulously abide by
respectful
恪遵to scrupulously observe (rules, traditions etc)
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 恪守 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 恪

It is pronounced as 'kè' with a falling tone.