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March 24, 2026
藁gǎo(gao3)
The character 藁 (gǎo) primarily refers to straw or hay, which are dried plant materials often used in agriculture or as animal feed. It can also imply something that is withered or dry. This term is commonly used in rural contexts, particularly when discussing farming practices or animal husbandry.
Strokes17Radical艹Frequency#54060DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In rural Chinese culture, straw is an important byproduct of harvesting grains, often used for thatching roofs or as bedding for animals. Understanding the significance of straw can provide insights into traditional agricultural practices in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a goat munching on straw (gǎo) in a dry field. The character 藁 has the radical for grass (艹) at the top, which connects it to plants, while the 'gao' sound can remind you of the 'goat' that eats the straw.
Meanings of 藁
gǎo(gao3)
1straw, hay; withered, dry
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 藁
藁Simplified
17Strokes
艹Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 藁
Podcast: 藁
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AI Study Notes for 藁
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a goat munching on straw (gǎo) in a dry field. The character 藁 has the radical for grass (艹) at the top, which connects it to plants, while the 'gao' sound can remind you of the 'goat' that eats the straw.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 藁 with similar characters like 槁 (also pronounced gǎo), which may have different connotations. This character is more likely used in agricultural discussions, making it less common in everyday conversation. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings; gǎo has a third tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 藁 is not included in the official HSK levels, it can be useful when learning vocabulary related to agriculture (often found in HSK Level 3 and above). Focus on recognizing the character's components and pronunciation, as well as its contextual meanings in farming.
Cultural Note
In rural Chinese culture, straw is an important byproduct of harvesting grains, often used for thatching roofs or as bedding for animals. Understanding the significance of straw can provide insights into traditional agricultural practices in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 藁 with similar-sounding characters like 槁. For example, using 藁 in contexts related to dryness instead of the appropriate character can lead to misunderstandings. Remember, 藁 specifically refers to straw or hay.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 藁
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Cultural Notes for 藁
🏮Cultural insight
In rural Chinese culture, straw is an important byproduct of harvesting grains, often used for thatching roofs or as bedding for animals. Understanding the significance of straw can provide insights into traditional agricultural practices in China.
Word Family of 藁
Words Containing This Character4
藁gǎodried up
藁城市Gaocheng county level city in Shijiazhuang 石家莊|石家庄[Shíjiāzhuāng], Hebei
藁城Gaocheng county level city in Shijiazhuang 石家莊|石家庄[Shíjiāzhuāng], Hebei
藁城县cheng county in Hebei藁城縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 藁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 藁
It can be used to describe the leftover straw after harvesting crops, for example, '田里剩下很多藁' (There is a lot of straw left in the field).
No, it is mostly used in agricultural contexts and might not frequently appear in casual conversation.
It is pronounced gǎo, with a third tone, which is a dipping tone.
