Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
璞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
unpolished gemnr, 16 strokes, radical 王, rank #60462, Very Hard
(pu2) T2
  1. 1unpolished gem
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(pu2)

The character 璞 (pú) refers to an unpolished gem, emphasizing its natural and raw state before refinement. It is often used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that has potential but has not yet been developed or refined. You might encounter this word in literary contexts or discussions about personal growth and talent.

Strokes16RadicalFrequency#60462DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of unpolished gems symbolizes the belief that true worth lies beneath the surface, often aligning with the value of inner qualities over outward appearances. This aligns with traditional values that emphasize humility and the potential for personal development.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rough, unpolished gemstone lying in the dirt, waiting to be discovered. The character 璞 looks like a gem (the top part) encased in earth (the bottom part), reminding you that beneath the surface, there's beauty waiting to be revealed. The pronunciation 'pú' sounds like 'pooh,' as in 'pooh, look at that rough gem!'

Meanings of 璞

(pu2)
1unpolished gem
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 璞

Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 璞

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 璞

Quick Contrast

璞 (pú) vs 玉 (yù) — use 璞 when referring to something unrefined or raw, while 玉 denotes a polished or valuable jade.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a rough, unpolished gemstone lying in the dirt, waiting to be discovered. The character 璞 looks like a gem (the top part) encased in earth (the bottom part), reminding you that beneath the surface, there's beauty waiting to be revealed. The pronunciation 'pú' sounds like 'pooh,' as in 'pooh, look at that rough gem!'

Usage Notes

Learners might confuse 璞 with similar-sounding words, so pay attention to tone; it is pronounced 'pú' (2nd tone). This word is often used in more formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include phrases like '璞玉' (pú yù), meaning 'rough jade', which highlights the idea of hidden value.

HSK Study Tips

Although 璞 is not an HSK word, it connects with the theme of growth and potential found in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on how this character embodies the idea of transformation, which can relate to other HSK words about change and development.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of unpolished gems symbolizes the belief that true worth lies beneath the surface, often aligning with the value of inner qualities over outward appearances. This aligns with traditional values that emphasize humility and the potential for personal development.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 璞 with 笔 (bǐ), which means 'pen', due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 璞 has a 2nd tone and relates to gems, while 笔 has a 3rd tone and relates to writing instruments.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 璞

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 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 璞

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

jade

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 璞?

Decomposition of 璞

IDS Structure⿰王菐
Full Character
=
Wang2
left
pu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 璞?

Write 璞

Practice writing 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 璞

璞 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

产生的C? ____焕г诿嫱胖校0使面团发了起来.

The carbon dioxide produced becomes entrapped in the dough, causing it to rise.

Example Sentences for 璞 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
产生的C? 璞焕г诿嫱胖校0使面团发了起来.

chǎn shēng deC? C? púг huàn г wěi qiáng0 pàng xiào 0 shǐ miàn tuán fā.

The carbon dioxide produced becomes entrapped in the dough, causing it to rise.

Cultural Notes for 璞

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of unpolished gems symbolizes the belief that true worth lies beneath the surface, often aligning with the value of inner qualities over outward appearances. This aligns with traditional values that emphasize humility and the potential for personal development.

Word Family of 璞

Words Containing This Character3
unpolished gem
返璞归真to return to one's true self返璞歸真
归真返璞to return to one's true self歸真返璞
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 璞 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 璞

It is not commonly used in daily conversation but may appear in literary texts or discussions about personal qualities.