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涡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
涡
guō
eddy, swirl, whirlpool
n, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #29551, Very Hard
涡
guō
name of a river
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #29551, Very Hard
涡
wō
eddy, swirl, whirlpool
n, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #29551, Very Hard
涡
wō
name of a river
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #29551, Very Hard
guō(guo1)guo
primary
T1
1eddy, swirl, whirlpool
2name of a river
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March 24, 2026
涡(渦)guō(guo1)
The character 涡 (guō) refers to a swirling motion, such as an eddy or whirlpool in water. It can also denote a specific river or describe anything that moves in a circular or spiraling manner. This term is commonly used in both scientific contexts, like fluid dynamics, and in everyday descriptions of water movement.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#29551DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, water plays a vital role in poetry and art, often symbolizing change and fluidity. The concept of eddies and whirlpools can represent the unpredictability of life, echoing themes in traditional literature.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'growing whirlpool' as you say 'guō', where the swirling water forms a circular shape. The character 涡 has the water radical 水 on the left, emphasizing its relationship with water, while the right side suggests the swirling motion of the eddy.
Meanings of 涡
guō(guo1)
primary
1eddy, swirl, whirlpool
2name of a river
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 涡 means.
About 涡
涡Simplified
渦Traditional
10Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 涡
Podcast: 涡
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AI study notes for 涡
Quick Contrast
涡 (guō) vs 漩 (xuán): Use 涡 for general swirling motions or whirlpools, while 漩 specifically refers to a whirlpool or eddy in water.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 涡 with similar words like 漩涡 (xuán guō), meaning 'whirlpool,' which is more specific. It is typically used in neutral contexts and can be found in both written and oral expressions. Pay attention to the tone 'guō', as a wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 涡 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK level 4 terms involving water and movement. Students should focus on recognizing the water radical and other related terms like 水 (water) and 流 (flow) to enhance context grasping.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly say 'guo' without the tone, confusing it with other words. For example, saying 'guo' (without the tone) could lead to misinterpretation as it has different meanings in Mandarin. Always ensure to use the correct tone 'guō'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 涡
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Knowing 涡 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 涡 (guō) refers to a swirling motion, such as an eddy or whirlpool in water. It can also denote a specific river or describe anything that moves in a circular or spiraling manner. This term is commonly used in both scientific contexts, like fluid dynamics, and in everyday descriptions of water movement.
When to use 涡
Learners often confuse 涡 with similar words like 漩涡 (xuán guō), meaning 'whirlpool,' which is more specific. It is typically used in neutral contexts and can be found in both written and oral expressions. Pay attention to the tone 'guō', as a wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
涡 or something close to it
涡 (guō) vs 漩 (xuán): Use 涡 for general swirling motions or whirlpools, while 漩 specifically refers to a whirlpool or eddy in water.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly say 'guo' without the tone, confusing it with other words. For example, saying 'guo' (without the tone) could lead to misinterpretation as it has different meanings in Mandarin. Always ensure to use the correct tone 'guō'.
Write 涡
涡
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Practice writing 涡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 涡
涡 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
最近的一场雨把瀑布搅成了泥水漩____。
The recent rain had churned up the waterfall into a muddy whirlpool.
Example sentences for 涡 (9)
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1
最近的一场雨把瀑布搅成了泥水漩涡。
zuìjìn de yī chǎng yǔ bǎ pùbù jiǎo chéng le ní shuǐ xuán guō。
The recent rain had churned up the waterfall into a muddy whirlpool.
