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March 24, 2026
礎chǔ(chu3)
The character 礎 (chǔ) refers to a foundation stone or plinth, symbolizing the base upon which structures are built. It is commonly used in contexts discussing architecture, construction, and metaphorically to describe foundational concepts or principles in various fields, such as philosophy or education.
Strokes18Radical石Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is crucial, often reflected in architecture, where the foundation is believed to influence the stability and fortune of a building.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy stone (礎) that forms the base of a large building, holding everything up. Visualize this stone as a 'charming' (sounds like 'chǔ') foundation, reminding you that without a solid base, nothing can stand tall.
Meanings of 礎
chǔ(chu3)
1foundation stone, plinth; basis
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 礎
礎Simplified
18Strokes
石Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 礎
Podcast: 礎
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AI Study Notes for 礎
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sturdy stone (礎) that forms the base of a large building, holding everything up. Visualize this stone as a 'charming' (sounds like 'chǔ') foundation, reminding you that without a solid base, nothing can stand tall.
Usage Notes
When using 礎, it is important to pair it with terms that indicate structural or conceptual foundations, such as 理论 (lǐlùn - theory) or 知识 (zhīshì - knowledge). Avoid using it in casual conversations as it carries a more formal or technical tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 礎 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be connected to other foundational terms such as 基础 (jīchǔ - foundation) and 根基 (gēnjī - root base). Focus on understanding its usage in formal contexts to grasp its significance.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is crucial, often reflected in architecture, where the foundation is believed to influence the stability and fortune of a building.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 礎 with 基础 (jīchǔ) and use it interchangeably in casual contexts; however, 礎 is more formal and specific. For example, saying '这是我的理论的礎' (This is the foundation of my theory) is accurate, but avoid using it casually.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 礎
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Cultural Notes for 礎
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a strong foundation is crucial, often reflected in architecture, where the foundation is believed to influence the stability and fortune of a building.
Word Family of 礎
Words Containing This Character3
基础jīchǔbase基礎
础chǔbase礎
基础课basic course基礎課
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 基础 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 礎
You can use 礎 in a sentence like '理论是知识的基础' (The theory is the foundation of knowledge), where 礎 emphasizes the foundational aspect.
No, 礎 is more commonly used in formal or academic contexts rather than everyday conversation.
Synonyms include 基础 (jīchǔ - foundation) and 根基 (gēnjī - root base), which also emphasize foundational concepts.
