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March 24, 2026
籌chóu(chou2)
The character 籌 (chóu) primarily refers to a token or chip used in games or tallying. It can also mean to plan or arrange something, especially in a strategic context, and is often used in discussions about fundraising or raising money for projects. This character embodies the idea of organizing resources and efforts toward a goal.
Strokes20Radical⺮Frequency#54165DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture,筹 plays a significant role in community fundraising events, such as temple fairs or charity events, where people gather to raise money for common causes. This reflects the communal spirit in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a poker game where players use chips (籌) to bet. The character looks like two parts: the bamboo radical (竹) at the top symbolizes flexibility and strategy, while the bottom part resembles a tally mark, hinting at counting or planning resources. Think of a strategic poker player who plans their next move with their chips.
Meanings of 籌
chóu(chou2)
1chip, tally, token; to plan; to raise money
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 籌
籌Simplified
20Strokes
⺮Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 籌
Podcast: 籌
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AI Study Notes for 籌
Quick Contrast
筹 (chóu) vs 筹备 (chóubèi) — use 籌 when referring specifically to tokens or chips, while 筹备 emphasizes the preparation and planning process.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a poker game where players use chips (籌) to bet. The character looks like two parts: the bamboo radical (竹) at the top symbolizes flexibility and strategy, while the bottom part resembles a tally mark, hinting at counting or planning resources. Think of a strategic poker player who plans their next move with their chips.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 籌 (chóu) with 籌 (zhōu), which has a different pronunciation and meaning. It’s typically used in formal contexts, especially in business or fundraising discussions. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 籌 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other HSK Level 4 words related to planning and organization, such as 计划 (jìhuà - plan) and 筹划 (chóuhuà - to plan or arrange). Focus on its usage in financial or strategic contexts to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture,筹 plays a significant role in community fundraising events, such as temple fairs or charity events, where people gather to raise money for common causes. This reflects the communal spirit in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 籌 (chóu) with other similar-sounding characters, such as 鈔 (chāo, meaning banknotes). For example, saying '我想要籌钱' (Wǒ xiǎng yào chóu qián) instead of '我想要筹钱' (Wǒ xiǎng yào chóu qián) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 籌
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Cultural Notes for 籌
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture,筹 plays a significant role in community fundraising events, such as temple fairs or charity events, where people gather to raise money for common causes. This reflects the communal spirit in Chinese society.
Word Family of 籌
Words Containing This Character19
筹chóuticket籌
筹码chóumǎbargaining chip籌碼
筹备chóubèipreparations籌備
筹集chóujíto collect money籌集
筹款fundraising籌款
统筹tǒngchóuan overall plan統籌
筹划chóuhuàto plan and prepare籌劃
筹资to raise resources籌資
筹建to prepare to build sth籌建
筹办chóubànto arrange籌辦
筹措chóucuòto raise (money)籌措
一筹莫展yìchóumòzhǎnto be at wits' end一籌莫展
筹委会organizing committee籌委會
运筹帷幄fig. planning strategies運籌帷幄
统筹兼顾tǒngchóujiāngùan overall plan taking into account all factors統籌兼顧
运筹to plan運籌
略胜一筹slightly better略勝一籌
觥筹交错a big (drinking) party觥籌交錯
筹募to raise funds籌募
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 筹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 籌
籌 can refer to chips used in games, a token for counting, or the act of planning and raising funds.
You can say '我们需要筹一些资金' (Wǒmen xūyào chóu yīxiē zījīn), meaning 'We need to raise some funds'.
籌 is generally used in formal or business contexts, particularly when discussing plans or fundraising.
