Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
綢chóu(chou2)
The character 綢 (chóu) refers to a type of silk cloth, often associated with luxury and high-quality textiles. It is commonly used in contexts related to clothing, decoration, and traditional crafts, highlighting its significance in Chinese culture as a symbol of elegance and sophistication.
Strokes14Radical糹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, silk has a rich history dating back thousands of years, often linked to the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The character 綢 embodies the appreciation for craftsmanship in traditional Chinese clothing.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful flowing ribbon made of silk (the character's meaning) entwined around a 'chou' (sounds like 'chóu') - the soft, luxurious texture of the fabric is represented by the flowing lines of the character’s structure.
Meanings of 綢
chóu(chou2)
1silk cloth, satin damask
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 綢
綢Simplified
14Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 綢
Podcast: 綢
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 綢
Quick Contrast
绸 (chóu) - use 綢 when referring to a specific type of silk cloth associated with luxury, while 绸 generally refers to silk fabrics in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a beautiful flowing ribbon made of silk (the character's meaning) entwined around a 'chou' (sounds like 'chóu') - the soft, luxurious texture of the fabric is represented by the flowing lines of the character’s structure.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 綢 is often used in a more formal context, associated with traditional clothing or special occasions. It commonly collocates with terms for threads, weaving, or types of garments. Avoid confusing it with other textiles like 棉 (mián), which means cotton.
HSK Study Tips
While 綢 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects with vocabulary related to clothing and textiles found in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on recognizing characters related to fabrics and understanding their cultural significance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, silk has a rich history dating back thousands of years, often linked to the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The character 綢 embodies the appreciation for craftsmanship in traditional Chinese clothing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 綢 with other fabric-related characters. For example, using 綢 when they mean cotton cloth (棉) is incorrect. Always remember that 綢 is specifically for silk cloth.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 綢
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 綢 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 綢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 綢
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, silk has a rich history dating back thousands of years, often linked to the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The character 綢 embodies the appreciation for craftsmanship in traditional Chinese clothing.
Word Family of 綢
Words Containing This Character10
丝绸sīchóusilk絲綢
绸chóu(light) silk綢
未雨绸缪to prepare for a rainy day未雨綢繆
丝绸之路the Silk Road絲綢之路
绸缎satin綢緞
塔夫绸taffeta塔夫綢
绸子silk綢子
绸缪to be sentimentally attached to sb or sth綢繆
府绸poplin (cotton cloth used for shirts)府綢
绵绸rough-textured fabric of waste silk綿綢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 丝绸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 綢
綢 refers to a specific type of silk cloth, while 絹 (juàn) is a more general term for silk.
No, 綢 specifically refers to silk cloth; other types of fabrics have different terms.
