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March 24, 2026
葛gé(ge2)
The character 葛 (gé) primarily refers to a type of plant known as kudzu, which is often used for its edible roots and as a vine. It can also denote a surname and is associated with hemp cloth in Chinese culture. In culinary contexts, 葛 can be linked to dishes made from its starch or root, emphasizing its nutritional value.
Strokes12Radical艹Frequency#7147DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, kudzu (葛) is valued not just for its edible properties but also for its medicinal benefits in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is believed to help with detoxification. The vine's rapid growth and ability to cover landscapes have made it symbolic of resilience.
Memory Tip
Think of 葛 as a vine climbing upwards (the plant's form), resembling a green snake named 'Ge' that wraps around trees. The pronunciation 'gé' sounds like 'guy,' picturing a guy climbing a vine to illustrate the plant's nature.
Meanings of 葛
gé(ge2)
primary
1an edible bean; vine; surname
2kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 葛
葛Simplified
12Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 葛
Podcast: 葛
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AI Study Notes for 葛
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 葛 as a vine climbing upwards (the plant's form), resembling a green snake named 'Ge' that wraps around trees. The pronunciation 'gé' sounds like 'guy,' picturing a guy climbing a vine to illustrate the plant's nature.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 葛 with similar characters; it's often mistakenly pronounced with the wrong tone. This character is more frequently used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about botany or traditional medicine. Common collocations include 葛根 (gé gēn, kudzu root) and 葛藤 (gé téng, tangled vines).
HSK Study Tips
While 葛 is not on the HSK list, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to plants and food. Students should focus on recognizing the character's components and its uses in traditional Chinese medicine, which can enhance their understanding of health-related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, kudzu (葛) is valued not just for its edible properties but also for its medicinal benefits in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is believed to help with detoxification. The vine's rapid growth and ability to cover landscapes have made it symbolic of resilience.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 葛 with other similar characters like 藁 (gǎo), which also refers to plants. A common error is saying 'gǎ' instead of 'gé'; remember to use the rising tone for correct pronunciation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 葛
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Grammar Patterns of 葛
葛 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). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. 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
艾森豪威尔离开白宫，退隐到他在____底斯堡的农场。
Eisenhower left the White House and retired to his farm in Gettysburg.
Old Grandet's equivocal mirth was as greatful as sunshine.
8
莱德陪她一块儿打网球, 领她去看戏等等, 不过并没什么瓜葛.
lái dé péi tā yī kuài ér dǎ wǎng qiú, , lǐng tā qù kàn xì děng, děng , bù guò bìng méi shí mó.
Fred played tennis with her, and took her to show and such, but with no complication.
Cultural Notes for 葛
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, kudzu (葛) is valued not just for its edible properties but also for its medicinal benefits in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is believed to help with detoxification. The vine's rapid growth and ability to cover landscapes have made it symbolic of resilience.
Word Family of 葛
Words Containing This Character10
葛géhemp cloth
诸葛亮mastermind諸葛亮
瓜葛interconnected
纠葛dispute糾葛
葛优Ge You (1957-), Chinese actor葛優
诸葛two-character surname Zhuge諸葛
葛根tuber of the kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata), used in Chinese medicine
葛洲坝name of a place, Gezhouba Dam on the Changjiang River, in Sichuan葛洲壩
长葛Changge county level city in Shangqiu 商丘[Shāngqiū], Henan長葛
葛洪Ge Hong (283-363), Jin dynasty Daoist and alchemist, author of 抱樸子|抱朴子[Bàopǔzǐ]
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 葛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 葛
葛根, or kudzu root, is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ailments like fever and muscle pain.
It is pronounced as 'gé' with a rising tone, similar to how 'guy' sounds but with a higher pitch.
Yes, 葛 can also be a surname in China and is associated with hemp cloth.
