Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
穀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
穀gǔvalley, gorge, ravinezg, 15 strokes, radical 禾
gǔ(gu3)gu T3
  1. 1valley, gorge, ravine
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

穀gǔ(gu3)

The character 穀 (gǔ) primarily refers to a valley, gorge, or ravine, often depicting a low area between hills or mountains where water might flow. It can also imply fertile land where crops are grown, making it relevant in agricultural contexts. This character is used in both literal and metaphorical ways to describe low-lying areas.

Strokes15Radical禾
Cultural Note

Valleys (穀) are often associated with agricultural prosperity in Chinese culture, symbolizing abundance and nourishment. In traditional Chinese poetry, valleys are depicted as places of beauty and tranquility, inviting reflection and peace.

Memory Tip

Imagine a vast valley (gǔ) where grains are stored. The character's components suggest growth and abundance – the top part resembles a roof protecting the grain beneath. Picture a farmer excitedly showing you his harvest in a deep gorge, where the grains are safe from storms.

Meanings of 穀

gǔ(gu3)
1valley, gorge, ravine
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 穀 means.

About 穀

穀Simplified
15Strokes
禾Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 穀

JasonAmy

Podcast: 穀

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 穀

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 穀 (gǔ) with similar-sounding words like 骨 (gǔ, meaning 'bone'). This character is more common in written contexts related to geography or agriculture, so it may not appear frequently in everyday conversation. Understanding its use in idiomatic expressions can enhance your fluency.

HSK Study Tips

Though 穀 (gǔ) is not listed in the official HSK levels, it connects to themes of nature and geography found in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on pronunciation and context to differentiate it from similar characters, as well as practice using it in sentences related to nature.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 穀 (gǔ) with other similar characters like 骨 (gǔ), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我喜欢穀' (I like valleys) instead of '我喜欢骨' (I like bones) could change the intended meaning significantly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 穀

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 穀 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

Jason Explains 穀 to You

Let me explain 穀 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 穀 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 穀?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 穀 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 穀

Explanation

Pictograph of the valley between two mountains.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 穀?

Decomposition of 穀

IDS Structure⿰⿱⿳士冖一禾殳
穀Full Character
=
士Shi4
top
冖mi4
middle
一yi1
bottom
禾he2
殳Shu1
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 穀?

How to say valley, gorge, ravine in Chinese

“valley, gorge, ravine” in Chinese is穀gǔ

The character 穀 (gǔ) primarily refers to a valley, gorge, or ravine, often depicting a low area between hills or mountains where water might flow. It can also imply fertile land where crops are grown, making it relevant in agricultural contexts. This character is used in both literal and metaphorical ways to describe low-lying areas.

When to use 穀

Be careful not to confuse 穀 (gǔ) with similar-sounding words like 骨 (gǔ, meaning 'bone'). This character is more common in written contexts related to geography or agriculture, so it may not appear frequently in everyday conversation. Understanding its use in idiomatic expressions can enhance your fluency.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 穀 (gǔ) with other similar characters like 骨 (gǔ), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我喜欢穀' (I like valleys) instead of '我喜欢骨' (I like bones) could change the intended meaning significantly.

Write 穀

穀

Practice writing 穀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 穀?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 穀

Words Containing This Character20
谷gǔgrain穀
峡谷xiágǔcanyon峽谷
山谷shāngǔvalley
曼谷Bangkok, capital of Thailand
低谷dīgǔvalley
谷仓barn穀倉
谷物cereal穀物
硅谷Silicon Valley
河谷river valley
谷底valley floor
稻谷dàogǔrice crops稻穀
谷子millet穀子
包谷corn包穀
谷歌variant of 谷歌[Gǔ​gē]穀歌
布谷cuckoo布穀
幽谷deep valley
大峡谷great valley大峽谷
五谷all crops五穀
布谷鸟cuckoo (Cercococcyx spp.)布谷鳥
谷氨酸glutamic acid (Glu), an amino acid穀氨酸
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 穀

What does 谷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 穀

It is pronounced as 'gǔ', with a falling-rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 穀?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab