Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
篝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
篝gōubamboo basket; bamboo framezg, 16 strokes, radical ⺮
篝gōubamboo frame for drying clothesunknown, 16 strokes, radical ⺮
篝gōubamboo cageunknown, 16 strokes, radical ⺮
gōu(gou1) T1
  1. 1bamboo basket; bamboo frame
  2. 2bamboo frame for drying clothes
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

篝gōu(gou1)

The character 篝 (gōu) refers to a type of bamboo basket or frame, commonly used in traditional Chinese contexts. It is often associated with drying clothes or holding items, showcasing its utilitarian function in daily life. While not frequently used in modern language, it retains cultural significance in rural practices.

Strokes16Radical⺮
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo is highly valued for its versatility and strength, often found in various household items. The 篝 is a practical representation of how bamboo is used in everyday life, especially in rural areas for tasks like drying clothes.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large bamboo frame (篝) holding clothes drying under the sun. The shape of the character resembles the structure of a basket, and the sound 'gōu' can remind you of 'go' when you ‘go’ to dry your clothes outside.

Meanings of 篝

gōu(gou1)
1bamboo basket; bamboo frame
2bamboo frame for drying clothes
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 篝

篝Simplified
16Strokes
⺮Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 篝

JasonAmy

Podcast: 篝

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 篝

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more common in agricultural or traditional contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters that involve other materials, like '篱' (lí), which means fence. It is more formal and context-specific.

HSK Study Tips

While 篝 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be helpful to connect it with other bamboo-related vocabulary, like 竹 (zhú, bamboo) for a deeper understanding of how bamboo is utilized in Chinese culture. Focus on recognizing the radicals and components to enhance character recall.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 篝 with similar characters due to its less common usage. A common mistake is using it in contexts meant for more modern items, such as saying '篝' for a plastic basket, while it should be used for traditional bamboo frames.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 篝

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 篝 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 篝

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

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 冓 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)冓
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 篝

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 冓 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half冓 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 篝? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 篝?

Decomposition of 篝

IDS Structure⿱⺮冓
篝Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
冓gou4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 篝?

How to say bamboo basket; bamboo frame in Chinese

“bamboo basket; bamboo frame” in Chinese is篝gōu

The character 篝 (gōu) refers to a type of bamboo basket or frame, commonly used in traditional Chinese contexts. It is often associated with drying clothes or holding items, showcasing its utilitarian function in daily life. While not frequently used in modern language, it retains cultural significance in rural practices.

When to use 篝

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more common in agricultural or traditional contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters that involve other materials, like '篱' (lí), which means fence. It is more formal and context-specific.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 篝 with similar characters due to its less common usage. A common mistake is using it in contexts meant for more modern items, such as saying '篝' for a plastic basket, while it should be used for traditional bamboo frames.

Write 篝

篝

Practice writing 篝 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 篝

篝 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

晚上点起____火会让人感到温暖舒适。

In the evening a log fire would provide cosiness.

Example Sentences for 篝 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
晚上点起篝火会让人感到温暖舒适。

wǎn shàng diǎn qǐ gōu huǒ huì ràng rén gǎn dào wēn nuǎn shū shì。

In the evening a log fire would provide cosiness.
2
参加运动的人们在各种仪式上点起一垛垛篝火以纪念周年庆典。

cān jiā yùn dòng de rén mén zài gè zhǒng yí shì shàng diǎn qǐ yī duǒ duǒ gōu huǒ yǐ jì niàn zhōu nián qìng diǎn。

Campaigners lit scores of bonfires in ceremonies to mark the anniversary.
3
她开始向篝火处慢慢走去。

tā kāi shǐ xiàng gōu huǒ chǔ màn màn zǒu qù。

She began a slow saunter toward the bonfires.

Word Family of 篝

Words Containing This Character3
篝火bonfire
篝gōubamboo cage
篝火狐鸣an uprising is afoot (idiom)篝火狐鳴
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 篝火 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 篝

篝 is not commonly used in modern urban settings but can still be found in rural areas where traditional practices are maintained.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 篝?

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.