Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
枯kū(ku1)
The character 枯 (kū) refers to something that is dried up, withered, or decayed. It is often used in contexts involving plants, such as describing leaves that have dried out, but can also metaphorically apply to emotions or situations that have lost vitality.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#23174DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the imagery of withering plants often symbolizes the passage of time and the impermanence of life, reflecting deeper philosophical themes found in poetry and art.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tree that has become so dry that its branches are like old, brittle sticks. The character 枯 visually suggests a tree (木) that is no longer living, emphasizing the idea of dryness and decay.
Meanings of 枯
kū(ku1)
1dried up
2dried out, withered, decayed
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 枯
枯Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23174Frequency Rank
Podcast: 枯
Podcast: 枯
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 枯
Quick Contrast
枯 (kū) vs 干 (gān) — use 枯 for something that has withered or decayed, while 干 refers to something that is simply dry.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 枯 (kū) with similar-sounding words like 苦 (kǔ), which means bitter. This word is generally used in a neutral tone, but can take on a negative connotation when describing emotional states. Common collocations include 枯叶 (kū yè - dried leaves) and 枯萎 (kū wěi - to wither).
HSK Study Tips
While not part of the standard HSK vocabulary list, 枯 can be useful for intermediate learners interested in nature-related topics. Focus on recognizing its usage in descriptions of plants and emotions in literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 枯 (kū) with similar-sounding characters. For example, they might mistakenly say '我感到苦' (wǒ gǎndào kǔ - I feel bitter) when they mean to express a sense of emotional dryness, which should be '我感到枯' (wǒ gǎndào kū).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 枯
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 枯 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
1The giveawayAn old 古 tree 木; 古 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 枯? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 枯?
Decomposition of 枯
IDS Structure⿰木古
枯Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
古Gu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 枯?
How to say dried up in Chinese
“dried up” in Chinese is枯kū
The character 枯 (kū) refers to something that is dried up, withered, or decayed. It is often used in contexts involving plants, such as describing leaves that have dried out, but can also metaphorically apply to emotions or situations that have lost vitality.
When to use 枯
Be careful not to confuse 枯 (kū) with similar-sounding words like 苦 (kǔ), which means bitter. This word is generally used in a neutral tone, but can take on a negative connotation when describing emotional states. Common collocations include 枯叶 (kū yè - dried leaves) and 枯萎 (kū wěi - to wither).
枯 or something close to it
枯 (kū) vs 干 (gān) — use 枯 for something that has withered or decayed, while 干 refers to something that is simply dry.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 枯 (kū) with similar-sounding characters. For example, they might mistakenly say '我感到苦' (wǒ gǎndào kǔ - I feel bitter) when they mean to express a sense of emotional dryness, which should be '我感到枯' (wǒ gǎndào kū).
Write 枯
枯
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 枯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 枯
枯 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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
他们时常陷入____燥的日常事务之中。
All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
Example Sentences for 枯 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们时常陷入枯燥的日常事务之中。
tā mén shí cháng xiàn rù kū zào de rì cháng shì wù zhī zhōng。
All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
2
他写了一组非常单调枯燥的曲子。
tā xiě le yī zǔ fēi cháng dān tiáo kū zào de qū zǐ。
He has written a batch of very samey tunes.
3
上班时，他淹没在枯燥乏味的会海中。
shàng bān shí， ， tā yān méi zài kū zào fá wèi de huì hǎi。
At work, he was chained to a system of boring meetings.
4
原本显得沉闷枯燥的诗歌突然有了生气。
yuán běn xiǎn dé chén mèn kū zào de shī gē tū rán yǒu le shēng qì。
Poems which had seemed dull and boring suddenly came to life.
5
那是一份按部就班、枯燥乏味的无聊差事。
nà shì yī fèn àn bù jiù bān、 、 kū zào fá wèi de wú liáo chà。
It was a methodical, unexciting chore.
6
那是一堆枯燥乏味、毫无幽默感的废话。
nà shì yī duī kū zào fá wèi、 、 háo wú yōu mò gǎn de fèi。
