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矩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
矩jǔcarpenter's square, ruler, ruleng, 9 strokes, radical 矢, rank #15399, Very Hard
矩jǔregulationunknown, 9 strokes, radical 矢, rank #15399, Very Hard
矩jǔpatternunknown, 9 strokes, radical 矢, rank #15399, Very Hard
矩jǔto carveunknown, 9 strokes, radical 矢, rank #15399, Very Hard
jǔ(ju3)ju T3
  1. 1carpenter's square, ruler, rule
  2. 2regulation
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

矩(榘)jǔ(ju3)

The character 矩 (jǔ) refers to a carpenter's square or ruler, representing tools used for measuring and creating right angles. It can also denote rules or regulations, symbolizing order and structure in various contexts. This character conveys precision and adherence to standards in both practical and metaphorical uses.

Strokes9Radical矢Frequency#15399DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese carpentry, tools like the carpenter's square were essential not only for construction but also for embodying principles of harmony and balance in architecture, which reflect broader cultural values of precision and order.

Memory tip

Imagine a carpenter using a square tool, the 'jǔ' shape resembling a right angle. Picture him carefully measuring out wood to ensure it fits perfectly in a structure, emphasizing the importance of rules and accuracy in his work.

Meanings of 矩

jǔ(ju3)
1carpenter's square, ruler, rule
2regulation
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 矩 means.

About 矩

矩Simplified
榘Traditional
9Strokes
矢Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#15399Frequency Rank

Podcast: 矩

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Podcast: 矩

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AI study notes for 矩

Usage Notes

Be cautious about the tone when pronouncing 矩, as the third tone can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It is often used in technical or formal contexts related to construction and design, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless discussing relevant topics.

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the official HSK vocabulary, 矩 can connect with words related to measurement (e.g., 尺 - chǐ, ruler) and structure (e.g., 建筑 - jiànzhù, architecture). Focus on recognizing its usage in specialized contexts to enhance your technical vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 矩 with similar-sounding characters like 举 (jǔ), which means 'to lift' or 'to raise.' It's important to practice pronunciation to avoid this mix-up.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 矩

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Etymology of 矩

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

Phonosemantic compound. 矢 represents the meaning and 巨 represents the sound. Originally written as 巨.

Memory hint

arrow

Semantic (meaning)矢
+
Phonetic (sound)巨
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

矩 = 矢 + 巨. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 矩

IDS Structure⿰矢巨
矩Full character
=
矢shi3
left
巨ju4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 矩?

How to say carpenter's square, ruler, rule in Chinese

“carpenter's square, ruler, rule” in Chinese is矩jǔ

The character 矩 (jǔ) refers to a carpenter's square or ruler, representing tools used for measuring and creating right angles. It can also denote rules or regulations, symbolizing order and structure in various contexts. This character conveys precision and adherence to standards in both practical and metaphorical uses.

When to use 矩

Be cautious about the tone when pronouncing 矩, as the third tone can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It is often used in technical or formal contexts related to construction and design, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless discussing relevant topics.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 矩 with similar-sounding characters like 举 (jǔ), which means 'to lift' or 'to raise.' It's important to practice pronunciation to avoid this mix-up.

Write 矩

矩

Practice writing 矩 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 矩

矩 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 4 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.

规规____矩、结婚成家,有什么用?

What is the point of going legit and getting married?

Common confusions with 矩

矩vs局
jú

Similar shape but different meaning and pronunciation.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “carpenter's square, ruler, rule”?

or

Example sentences for 矩 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
规规矩矩、结婚成家,有什么用?

guī guīju jǔ、 jiéhūn chéngjiā, yǒu shénme yòng?

What is the point of going legit and getting married?
2
料理好厨房需要把一切都安排得规规矩矩,且要讲求速度。

liàolǐ hǎo chúfáng xūyào bǎ yíqiè dōu ānpái de guī guīju jǔ, qiě yào jiǎng qiú sùdù。

Running a kitchen involves a great deal of discipline and speed.
3
我们倾向于把维多利亚时代的人想象得非常古板、中规中矩。

wǒmen qīngxiàng yú bǎ wéi duō lì yà shídài de rén xiǎngxiàng de fēicháng gǔ bǎn、 zhōng guī zhōng jǔ。

We tend to imagine that the Victorians were very prim and proper.
4
很多不能或不按规矩行事的小孩常常被人欺负。

hěn duō bù néng huò bù àn guīju xíng shì de xiǎohái chángcháng bèi rén qīfu。

Many children who can't or don't conform are often bullied.
5
很多父母觉得要孩子循规蹈矩是件很难的事情。

hěn duō fùmǔ juéde yào háizi xún guī dǎo jǔ shì jiàn hěn nán de shìqing。

Many parents find it hard to discourage bad behaviour.
6
如果你规规矩矩,就可以一辈子都捧着这个饭碗。

rúguǒ nǐ guī guīju jǔ, jiù kěyǐ yíbèizi dōu pěng zhe zhège fànwǎn。

If you kept your nose clean, you had a job for life.
7
规矩点,否则的话,哼!

guīju diǎn, fǒuzé dehuà, hēng!

Behave, or else!
8
你得规矩点。

nǐ de guīju diǎn。

You have to behave.
9
他们都是规矩的缴租人.

tāmen dōushì guīju de jiǎo zū rén.

They are all good payers.
10
但在中间铰处,弯矩必定为零.

dàn zài zhōngjiān jiǎo chǔ, wān jǔ bìdìng wèi líng.

But the bending moment at the central hinge must vanish.

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Word Family of 矩

Compounds1
榘jǔrule, regulation; pattern; to carve
Words containing this character15
规矩guījurule規矩
矩阵jǔzhènarray矩陣
矩jǔrule
扭矩niǔjǔtorque
循规蹈矩xúnguīdǎojǔto act according to convention循規蹈矩
矩形jǔxíngrectangle
力矩lìjǔtorque
守规矩shǒuguījuto behave oneself守規矩
磁矩cíjǔmagnetic moment
规行矩步guīxíngjǔbùto act according to convention規行矩步
中心矩zhōngxīnjǔ(statistics) central moment
规矩准绳guījuzhǔnshéngnorms規矩準繩
规矩绳墨guījushéngmònorms規矩繩墨
矩尺jǔchǐset square (tool to measure right angles)
原点矩yuándiǎnjǔ(statistics) moment原點矩
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 矩

What does 榘 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 矩

矩 refers specifically to a carpenter's square, while 尺 is a more general term for a ruler.

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