Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
沟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
沟gōuditchHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7702, Hard
沟gōugutterHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7702, Hard
沟gōugrooveHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7702, Hard
沟gōugullyHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7702, Hard
沟gōuravineHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7702, Hard
沟gōuditch, drain, gutter, narrow waterwayHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7702, Hard
gōu(gou1) T1
  1. 1ditch
  2. 2gutter
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

沟(溝)gōu(gou1)

The character 沟 (gōu) refers to a ditch, gutter, or a narrow waterway. It is commonly used in contexts related to drainage systems or natural features like ravines and grooves in the landscape. The term can also imply channels for water flow, emphasizing its connection to both construction and nature.

Strokes7Radical氵Frequency#7702DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In rural China, proper drainage systems are crucial for agriculture. The concept of 沟 is often linked to traditional farming practices, where ditches are used to manage water flow in rice paddies.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'gou' (sounds like gōu) that runs through a landscape, collecting rainwater. The character's radical '氵' (water) indicates that it relates to water, while '沟' resembles a line that channels water, creating a vivid mental image of a flowing ditch.

Meanings of 沟

gōu(gou1)
1ditch
2gutter
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 沟

沟Simplified
溝Traditional
7Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7702Frequency Rank
道Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 沟

JasonAmy

Podcast: 沟

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 沟

Quick Contrast

沟 (gōu) vs 渠 (qú) — use 沟 for narrower, often natural ditches, while 渠 refers to wider, constructed channels.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 沟 with similar-sounding characters. It is generally used in informal contexts when describing natural features or drainage systems. Common collocations include '排水沟' (drainage ditch) and '沟渠' (canal).

HSK Study Tips

While 沟 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK 3-4 level words related to nature and infrastructure, like 水 (water) and 道 (road). Focus on its usage in context with these related words to enhance vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 沟 with other similar characters like 構 (gòu), which means 'to construct.' For example, saying '我去构水' (I go to construct water) instead of '我去沟水' (I go to channel water) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 沟

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 沟 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 沟

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

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 勾 represents the sound. Simplified form of 溝.

Memory Hint

water

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 沟

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 勾 represents the sound. Simplified form of 溝.

  1. 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half勾 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 沟? 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 沟?

Decomposition of 沟

IDS Structure⿰氵勾
沟Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
勾Gou1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 沟?

How to say ditch in Chinese

“ditch” in Chinese is沟gōu

The character 沟 (gōu) refers to a ditch, gutter, or a narrow waterway. It is commonly used in contexts related to drainage systems or natural features like ravines and grooves in the landscape. The term can also imply channels for water flow, emphasizing its connection to both construction and nature.

When to use 沟

Be careful not to confuse 沟 with similar-sounding characters. It is generally used in informal contexts when describing natural features or drainage systems. Common collocations include '排水沟' (drainage ditch) and '沟渠' (canal).

沟 or something close to it

沟 (gōu) vs 渠 (qú) — use 沟 for narrower, often natural ditches, while 渠 refers to wider, constructed channels.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 沟 with other similar characters like 構 (gòu), which means 'to construct.' For example, saying '我去构水' (I go to construct water) instead of '我去沟水' (I go to channel water) is incorrect.

Write 沟

沟

Practice writing 沟 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 沟

沟 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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

家庭疗法指导我们彼此之间的____通交流。

Family therapy showed us how to communicate with each other.

Common Confusions with 沟

沟vs构
gòu

Both characters share a similar pronunciation but have distinct meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "ditch"?

or

Usage Notes for 沟

Misusing 沟 in different contextsCommon Error

Be careful not to confuse 沟 (ditch) with similar-sounding words that denote different types of channels or constructions.

1

她在沟里发现了一些水。

She found some water in the ditch.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

她在____里发现了一些水。

She found some water in the ditch.

Example Sentences for 沟 (22)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
家庭疗法指导我们彼此之间的沟通交流。

jiā tíng liáo fǎ zhǐ dǎo wǒ mén bǐ cǐ zhī jiān de gōu tōng jiāo liú。

Family therapy showed us how to communicate with each other.
2
他熟练地左一拐右一拐地绕过深沟，穿过了原野。

tā shú liàn dì zuǒ yī guǎi yòu yī guǎi dì rào guò shēn gōu， ， chuān guò le yuán。

Expertly he zigzagged his way across the field, avoiding the deeper gullies.
3
这两个朋友发现他们与官员们无法沟通。

zhè liǎng gè péng yǒu fā xiàn tā mén yǔ guān yuán mén wú fǎ gōu tōng。

The two friends find themselves at cross-purposes with the officials.
4
他们挖好壕沟,等候敌人进攻.

tā mén wā hǎo háo gōu, , děng hòu dí rén jìn.

They dug in and waited for the enemy's attack.
5
她从未得到他准备沟通的一丁点儿暗示。

tā cóng wèi dé dào tā zhǔn bèi gōu tōng de yī dīng diǎn ér àn shì。

She'd never received the merest hint of any communication from him.
6
在深约0.5英寸，间隔12英寸的条播沟里播种。

zài shēn yuē0.5 0.5 yīng， cùn ，12 jiān gé 12 yīng cùn de tiáo bō gōu。

Sow the seeds in drills about 1/2in. deep and 12in. apart.
7
火车站上有冲鼻的猫味和臭水沟味。

huǒ chē zhàn shàng yǒu chōng bí de māo wèi hé chòu shuǐ gōu wèi。

The railway station smelt powerfully of cats and drains.
8
我们仅能依稀辨出桥下一条杂草丛生的窄沟。

wǒ mén jǐn néng yī xī biàn chū qiáo xià yī tiáo zá cǎo cóng shēng de zhǎi gōu。

Below the bridge we could just discern a narrow, weedy ditch.
9
国与国之间的隔阂是由沟通缓慢而又太少形成的.

guó yǔ guó zhī jiān de gé hé shì yóu gōu tōng huǎn màn ér yòu tài shǎo xíng chéng de.

Barriers between nations are reared by slow and infrequent communication.
10
汽车滑进了路旁边的深沟。

qì chē huá jìn le lù páng biān de shēn gōu。

The car slid into a donga at the side of the road.
11
大雨后，田里的水沟里积满了水。

Dà yǔ hòu, tián lǐ de shuǐgōu lǐ jī mǎn le shuǐ.

After the heavy rain, the ditches in the fields were filled with water.
12
农民们每天都要清理田地里的沟，以确保灌溉顺利。

Nóngmínmen měitiān dōu yào qīnglǐ tiándì lǐ de gōu, yǐ quèbǎo guàngài shùnlì.

The farmers clean the ditches in the fields every day to ensure smooth irrigation.
13
他跌倒在田野里的沟里，衣服都湿了。

Tā diēdǎo zài tiányě lǐ de gōu lǐ, yīfú dōu shī le.

He fell into a ditch in the field, and his clothes got wet.
14
在雨季，村里的沟常常被雨水填满。

Zài yǔjì, cūn lǐ de gōu chángcháng bèi yǔshuǐ tiánmǎn.

During the rainy season, the ditches in the village are often filled with rainwater.
15
工人们正在修理路旁的排水沟，以防止积水。

Gōngrénmen zhèngzài xiūlǐ lù páng de páishuǐ gōu, yǐ fángzhǐ jīshuǐ.

Workers are repairing the drainage ditches by the road to prevent water accumulation.
16
这条沟是为了引导雨水流向河流而挖的。

Zhè tiáo gōu shì wèile yǐndǎo yǔshuǐ liú xiàng héliú ér wā de.

This ditch was dug to channel rainwater towards the river.
17
大雨后，田里的水沟里积满了水。

Dà yǔ hòu, tián lǐ de shuǐgōu lǐ jī mǎn le shuǐ.

After the heavy rain, the ditches in the fields were filled with water.
18
农民们每天都要清理田地里的沟，以确保灌溉顺利。

Nóngmínmen měitiān dōu yào qīnglǐ tiándì lǐ de gōu, yǐ quèbǎo guàngài shùnlì.

The farmers clean the ditches in the fields every day to ensure smooth irrigation.
19
他跌倒在田野里的沟里，衣服都湿了。

Tā diēdǎo zài tiányě lǐ de gōu lǐ, yīfú dōu shī le.

He fell into a ditch in the field, and his clothes got wet.
20
在雨季，村里的沟常常被雨水填满。

Zài yǔjì, cūn lǐ de gōu chángcháng bèi yǔshuǐ tiánmǎn.

During the rainy season, the ditches in the village are often filled with rainwater.
21
工人们正在修理路旁的排水沟，以防止积水。

Gōngrénmen zhèngzài xiūlǐ lù páng de páishuǐ gōu, yǐ fángzhǐ jīshuǐ.

Workers are repairing the drainage ditches by the road to prevent water accumulation.
22
这条沟是为了引导雨水流向河流而挖的。

Zhè tiáo gōu shì wèile yǐndǎo yǔshuǐ liú xiàng héliú ér wā de.

This ditch was dug to channel rainwater towards the river.

Word Family of 沟

Words Containing This Character20
沟通gōutōngto join溝通
沟gōuditch溝
水沟gutter水溝
腹股沟groin (anatomy)腹股溝
排水沟gutter排水溝
鸿沟chasm鴻溝
沟渠channel溝渠
壕沟trench壕溝
山沟valley山溝
代沟generation gap代溝
九寨沟Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan九寨溝
海沟marine trench海溝
沟壑gorge溝壑
卢沟桥Lugou Bridge or Marco Polo Bridge in southwest of Beijing, the scene of a conflict that marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War 抗日戰爭|抗日战争[Kàng​Rì​Zhàn​zhēng]盧溝橋
沟槽groove溝槽
河沟brook河溝
门头沟Mentougou district of Beijing municipality門頭溝
门头沟区Mentougou district of Beijing門頭溝區
沟谷gully溝谷
东沟Donggou town in Liangzihu district 梁子湖區|梁子湖区[Liáng​zi​hú​qū] of Ezhou city 鄂州市[E​zhōu​shì], Hubei東溝
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 沟通 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 沟

沟 (gōu) refers specifically to ditches or gutters, while 渠 (qú) generally refers to canals or waterways, emphasizing larger or more structured water channels.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 沟?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.