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櫆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
櫆kuíPolaris, the north starzg, 18 strokes, radical 木
kuí(kui2) T2
  1. 1Polaris, the north star
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

櫆kuí(kui2)

The character 櫆 (kuí) refers to Polaris, the North Star, which is a crucial navigational reference in the Northern Hemisphere. It symbolizes guidance and direction, often associated with leadership and stability in various contexts.

Strokes18Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, Polaris has historically been seen as a symbol of stability and guidance, often mentioned in poetry and literature as a metaphor for unwavering leadership or moral direction.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall tree (the radical 木) standing strong under the night sky, with a bright star (the character's shape) shining directly above it, guiding travelers. The shape of 櫆 resembles a tree with a guiding star on top, reminding you it's the North Star, or Polaris.

Meanings of 櫆

kuí(kui2)
1Polaris, the north star
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 櫆

櫆Simplified
18Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 櫆

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Podcast: 櫆

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AI Study Notes for 櫆

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 櫆 with similar characters due to its uncommon usage. It's generally used in formal contexts related to astronomy or navigation; thus, it may not appear in casual conversation. Remember to pronounce it with the second tone (kuí) to avoid confusion with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not found in the HSK vocabulary list, but it can be connected to HSK Level 4 words about nature and astronomy. Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or historical texts where navigation is discussed.

Common Mistakes

Learners might incorrectly use 櫆 in everyday conversation, thinking it refers to any star rather than specifically Polaris. Instead, clarify its unique role as the North Star when discussing navigation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 櫆

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Etymology of 櫆

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

star

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)魁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 櫆

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half魁 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaystar
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 櫆? 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 櫆?

Decomposition of 櫆

IDS Structure⿰木魁
櫆Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
魁kui2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 櫆?

How to say Polaris, the north star in Chinese

“Polaris, the north star” in Chinese is櫆kuí

The character 櫆 (kuí) refers to Polaris, the North Star, which is a crucial navigational reference in the Northern Hemisphere. It symbolizes guidance and direction, often associated with leadership and stability in various contexts.

When to use 櫆

Learners often confuse 櫆 with similar characters due to its uncommon usage. It's generally used in formal contexts related to astronomy or navigation; thus, it may not appear in casual conversation. Remember to pronounce it with the second tone (kuí) to avoid confusion with other characters.

What learners get wrong

Learners might incorrectly use 櫆 in everyday conversation, thinking it refers to any star rather than specifically Polaris. Instead, clarify its unique role as the North Star when discussing navigation.

Write 櫆

櫆

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 櫆

Words Containing This Character1
櫆kuíPolaris
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 櫆 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 櫆

Polaris is viewed as a guiding star, symbolizing stability and leadership, often referenced in poetry.

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