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March 24, 2026
菇gū(gu1)
菇 (gū) refers specifically to mushrooms, a type of fungus commonly found in various cuisines around the world. In Chinese culture, mushrooms are not only a food source but also have medicinal properties and are often included in traditional dishes. The word is frequently used in culinary contexts, especially when discussing various types of edible fungi.
Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#33038DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, mushrooms like shiitake (香菇) and enoki (金针菇) are staples, often adding umami flavor to soups and stir-fries. They are also featured in traditional Chinese medicine for their health benefits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a little 'guy' (gū sounds like 'guy') who loves to gather mushrooms in the forest. The character 菇 has a radical for 'plant' (艹) at the top, which connects to its meaning as a type of fungus, growing from the ground like plants do.
Meanings of 菇
gū(gu1)
1mushroom
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 菇
菇Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 菇
Podcast: 菇
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AI Study Notes for 菇
Quick Contrast
香菇 (xiāng gū) vs. 平菇 (píng gū) — use 香菇 when referring to shiitake mushrooms specifically, while 平菇 refers to oyster mushrooms.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a little 'guy' (gū sounds like 'guy') who loves to gather mushrooms in the forest. The character 菇 has a radical for 'plant' (艹) at the top, which connects to its meaning as a type of fungus, growing from the ground like plants do.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone; 'gū' is a first tone, which is high and level, unlike the more common 'gu' sounds in different tones. Common collocations include '香菇' (xiānggū - shiitake mushroom) and '蘑菇' (mógū - general term for mushroom). Avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 菇 is not officially part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be helpful for learners at HSK 3 and above who are focusing on food-related vocabulary. Understand the context in which 菇 is used within culinary discussions to enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, mushrooms like shiitake (香菇) and enoki (金针菇) are staples, often adding umami flavor to soups and stir-fries. They are also featured in traditional Chinese medicine for their health benefits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 菇 with similar-sounding words. For example, using 'gu' (2nd tone) instead of 'gū' (1st tone) can change the meaning. Remember to practice the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 菇
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Grammar Patterns of 菇
菇 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
嫩牛排配蘑____ --1 美元2角5分.
Sirloin steak with mushrooms -- one twenty - five. "
Example Sentences for 菇 (10)
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1
嫩牛排配蘑菇 --1 美元2角5分.
nèn niú pái pèi mó gū--1 --1 měi2 yuán5 2.
Sirloin steak with mushrooms -- one twenty - five. "
2
现在可以买到许许多多不同种类的蘑菇。
xiàn zài kě yǐ mǎi dào xǔ xǔ duō duō bù tóng zhǒng lèi de mó gū。
There are so many different sorts of mushrooms available these days.
Wipe the mushrooms clean and thread them on a string.
5
伞菌目:担子菌纲的一目,包含蘑菇和伞菌等.
sǎn jūn mù: : dān zǐ jūn gāng de yī, mù , bāo hán mó gū hé sǎn.
Agaricales ( agarics ) An order of basidiomycetes that contains the mushrooms and toadstools.
6
菌柄:蘑菇或伞菌结构的一部分,其上着生菌盖.
jūn bǐng: : mó gū huò sǎn jūn jié gòu de yī bù, fēn , qí shàng zháo shēng.
The stalk of mushroom or toadstool , which bears the cap or pileus.
7
有些蘑菇可食用, 有些则有毒.
yǒu xiē mó gū kě shí yòng, , yǒu xiē zé yǒu.
Some mushrooms are good to eat; some are poisonous.
8
奶油蘑菇汤
nǎi yóu mó gū tāng
cream of mushroom soup
9
这个炒蘑菇有些辣, 但味道美.
zhè gè chǎo mó gū yǒu xiē là, , dàn wèi dào.
The dish of fried mushrooms is hot, but tasty.
10
他想尝尝蘑菇炒鸡蛋的味道.
tā xiǎng cháng cháng mó gū chǎo jī dàn de wèi dào.
He wanted to try some mushrooms with his eggs.
Cultural Notes for 菇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, mushrooms like shiitake (香菇) and enoki (金针菇) are staples, often adding umami flavor to soups and stir-fries. They are also featured in traditional Chinese medicine for their health benefits.
Word Family of 菇
Words Containing This Character10
蘑菇mógumushroom
菇gūmushroom
香菇shiitake (Lentinus edodes), an edible mushroom
金针菇abbr. to 金菇金針菇
蘑菇云mushroom cloud蘑菇雲
冬菇grade of Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes)
平菇oyster mushroom
草菇paddy straw mushroom
猴头菇Hericium erinaceus猴頭菇
泡蘑菇to procrastinate
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蘑菇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 菇
Common types include 香菇 (xiānggū - shiitake), 蘑菇 (mógū - regular mushrooms), and 金针菇 (jīnzhēngū - enoki mushrooms).
The correct pronunciation is gū with a high and level tone.
While 菇 can refer to mushrooms in general, specific types are often designated with additional characters, such as 香菇 for shiitake.
