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粗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
粗
cū
coarse
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
rough
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
thick (for cylindrical objects)
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
unfinished
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
vulgar
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
rude
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
crude
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
remote
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
distant
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
粗
cū
rough, think; coarse, rude
HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 米, rank #4811, Medium
cū(cu1)cu T1
1coarse
2rough
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March 24, 2026
粗cū(cu1)
The character 粗 (cū) generally means 'coarse' or 'rough,' often describing textures or qualities that are not fine or refined. It can also refer to thickness in cylindrical objects, as well as to behaviors or language that are considered vulgar or rude. Its usage spans both physical descriptions and metaphorical implications related to manners or taste.
Strokes11Radical米Frequency#4811DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, being 粗鲁 (rude) is generally frowned upon, and people are encouraged to be polite and refined in their speech and behavior. This character reflects the importance of manners and social etiquette in Chinese society.
Memory tip
Imagine a thick, rough rope that is too coarse to touch comfortably. The character 粗 has a 'grainy' texture, just like the roughness it describes. Picture a 'big, coarse' bear who is too 'rude' to speak politely, connecting the sound 'cū' to the image of a bear's roar.
Meanings of 粗
cū(cu1)
1coarse
2rough
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 粗
粗Simplified
11Strokes
米Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#4811Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 粗
Podcast: 粗
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AI study notes for 粗
Quick Contrast
粗 (cū) vs 粗糙 (cūcāo) — use 粗 for general descriptions of coarseness or thickness, while 粗糙 specifically emphasizes roughness in texture or quality.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 粗 (cū) with 细 (xì), which means 'fine' or 'thin.' This character is often used in informal contexts, especially when describing physical objects or behaviors. Common collocations include 粗糙 (cū cāo, rough) and 粗鲁 (cū lǔ, rude).
HSK Study Tips
Although 粗 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial to connect it with other adjectives describing qualities such as 细 (xì, fine) or 光滑 (guāng huá, smooth). Focus on using it in context with other descriptive words to enhance vocabulary around physical characteristics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 粗 (cū) with similar-sounding words like 处 (chù, to handle) or 促 (cù, to urge). Remember that 粗 specifically relates to coarse or rough qualities, not actions or processes.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 粗
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 粗 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.
粗 = 米 + 且. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 粗
IDS Structure⿰米且
粗Full character
=
米Mi3
left
且qie3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 粗?
How to say coarse in Chinese
“coarse” in Chinese is粗cū
The character 粗 (cū) generally means 'coarse' or 'rough,' often describing textures or qualities that are not fine or refined. It can also refer to thickness in cylindrical objects, as well as to behaviors or language that are considered vulgar or rude. Its usage spans both physical descriptions and metaphorical implications related to manners or taste.
When to use 粗
Be careful not to confuse 粗 (cū) with 细 (xì), which means 'fine' or 'thin.' This character is often used in informal contexts, especially when describing physical objects or behaviors. Common collocations include 粗糙 (cū cāo, rough) and 粗鲁 (cū lǔ, rude).
粗 or something close to it
粗 (cū) vs 粗糙 (cūcāo) — use 粗 for general descriptions of coarseness or thickness, while 粗糙 specifically emphasizes roughness in texture or quality.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 粗 (cū) with similar-sounding words like 处 (chù, to handle) or 促 (cù, to urge). Remember that 粗 specifically relates to coarse or rough qualities, not actions or processes.
Write 粗
粗
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Practice writing 粗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 粗
粗 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
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Word Family of 粗
Words containing this character20
粗cūcoarse
粗鲁cūlǔcoarse粗魯
粗糙cūcāocrude
粗暴cūbàorough
粗俗cūsúvulgar
粗话cūhuàuncultured speech粗話
粗略cūlüècursory
粗心cūxīncareless
粗野cūyěinsolent
粗大cūdàthick
粗壮cūzhuàngthick and solid粗壯
粗犷cūguǎngrough粗獷
粗口cūkǒuswear words
粗放cūfàngextensive
粗粮cūliángcoarse grains (maize, sorghum etc)粗糧
粗细cūxìthick and thin粗細
粗心大意cūxīndàyìnegligent
粗鄙cūbǐvulgar
财大气粗cáidàqìcūrich and imposing財大氣粗
粗制滥造cūzhìlànzàoto churn out large quantities without regard for quality (idiom); rough and slipshod work粗製濫造
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 粗
What does 粗鲁 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 粗
粗 (cū) means coarse or thick, while 细 (xì) means fine or thin. They are often used to describe opposite qualities in objects, materials, or even in certain contexts regarding behavior. For instance, you could say '粗绳子' (cū shéngzi) for a thick rope and '细绳子' (xì shéngzi) for a thin rope.
Depending on the context, 粗 (cū) can carry a negative connotation, particularly when referring to someone's demeanor or speech as rude or vulgar. However, when used to describe physical objects, such as materials or textures, it is more neutral. It's important to consider the context in which it is used.
粗 (cū) means coarse, rough, or thick, particularly when referring to cylindrical objects. It can also imply something that is unfinished or vulgar in nature. This character is commonly used in various contexts, including descriptions of texture and quality.
You can use 粗 (cū) in a sentence to describe objects or materials, such as '这条绳子很粗' (Zhè tiáo shéngzi hěn cū) which means 'This rope is very thick.' It can also describe someone's behavior, for example, '他的言语很粗' (Tā de yányǔ hěn cū), meaning 'His words are very rude.'
It is pronounced as 'cū,' with a high-level tone.
Generally, 粗 has negative connotations when referring to manners or texture; however, in certain contexts like describing rustic or handmade items, it could be viewed positively.
Some common phrases include 粗糙 (rough) and 粗鲁 (rude), which can help in describing various contexts.
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