Meanings of 窟
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About 窟
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Podcast: 窟
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AI study notes for 窟
洞 (dòng) — use 窟 (kū) for underground spaces with a sense of enclosure, while 洞 (dòng) refers more generally to any hole or opening.
Learners often confuse 窟 with similar characters like 洞 (dòng), which also means cave but can imply a different context. 窟 is more informal and typically used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
Though 窟 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects to words related to natural features or places, such as 洞 (dòng) and 洞穴 (dòngxué, cave). Focus on pronunciation and the difference in usage contexts to enhance understanding.
Learners sometimes confuse 窟 with other similar characters like 穴 (xué), which means hole or cave but is often used in different contexts. For instance, saying '我去找一个穴' instead of '我去找一个窟' would be incorrect in casual contexts.
Pronunciation of 窟
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Learning Lab
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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.
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Etymology of 窟
Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 屈 represents the sound.
cave
Origin
窟 = 穴 + 屈. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 窟
Parts
Which of these is part of 窟?
How to say hole, cave; cellar; underground in Chinese
“hole, cave; cellar; underground” in Chinese is窟
The character 窟 (kū) refers to a hole or cave, often used to describe underground spaces such as cellars. It can convey a sense of depth or enclosure, commonly found in contexts discussing natural formations or storage areas.
When to use 窟
Learners often confuse 窟 with similar characters like 洞 (dòng), which also means cave but can imply a different context. 窟 is more informal and typically used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
窟 or something close to it
洞 (dòng) — use 窟 (kū) for underground spaces with a sense of enclosure, while 洞 (dòng) refers more generally to any hole or opening.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 窟 with other similar characters like 穴 (xué), which means hole or cave but is often used in different contexts. For instance, saying '我去找一个穴' instead of '我去找一个窟' would be incorrect in casual contexts.
Write 窟
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Practice writing 窟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 窟
窟 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这个贫民____里的人们过着多么令人悲惨的生活啊!
What a wretched existence the people in the slum lead!
Example sentences for 窟 (4)
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Word Family of 窟
Words with 窟
What does 贫民窟 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 窟
You can say '这个地方有一个大窟' (This place has a big cave).
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