unknown, 15 strokes, radical 见, rank #49317, Very Hard
觑
qù
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unknown, 15 strokes, radical 见, rank #49317, Very Hard
qù(qu4) T4
1to peep, to watch, to spy on
2to spy
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March 24, 2026
觑(覷)qù(qu4)
The character 觑 (qù) refers to the act of peeping or spying, often connoting a sense of stealth or secrecy. It can be used in contexts where someone is watching something or someone without their knowledge, often for the purpose of gathering information or observing discreetly.
Strokes15Radical见Frequency#49317DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and folklore, the act of spying is often depicted as a means of gathering intelligence, reflecting the historical importance of espionage in ancient Chinese warfare and politics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sneaky cat (the radical '目', meaning eye) peeking through the bushes to spy on a bird. The character 觑 combines the eye radical with a sound that resembles 'qù', which can help you remember that it means 'to peep'.
Meanings of 觑
qù(qu4)
1to peep, to watch, to spy on
2to spy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 觑
觑Simplified
覷Traditional
15Strokes
见Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 觑
Podcast: 觑
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AI Study Notes for 觑
Quick Contrast
窥 (kuī) - 觑 (qù) emphasizes a more stealthy or secretive observation, while 窥 (kuī) can imply simply looking in or peering without the same nuance of stealth.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sneaky cat (the radical '目', meaning eye) peeking through the bushes to spy on a bird. The character 觑 combines the eye radical with a sound that resembles 'qù', which can help you remember that it means 'to peep'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 觑 with similar-sounding words; it is typically more informal and carries a slightly negative connotation. Common collocations include 觑视 (qùshì, to spy on) and 觑探 (qùtàn, to observe secretly).
HSK Study Tips
Although 觑 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners interested in nuanced verbs. Focus on the context in which this verb is used, especially in literature or informal conversation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and folklore, the act of spying is often depicted as a means of gathering intelligence, reflecting the historical importance of espionage in ancient Chinese warfare and politics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 觑 with 视 (shì), which means to see or to look, leading to sentences like '我想要视他' (I want to see him), which should be corrected to '我想要觑他' (I want to spy on him).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 觑
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Grammar Patterns of 觑
觑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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
那名男子____了他一眼。
The man squinted up at him.
Example Sentences for 觑 (3)
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1
那名男子觑了他一眼。
nà míng nán zǐ qù le tā yī yǎn。
The man squinted up at him.
2
女孩觑着眼看那张照片。
nǚ hái qù zháo yǎn kàn nà zhāng zhào piàn。
The girl squinted at the photograph.
3
男子觑着不说话.有说不出的什么东西,在血里窜着涌着.
nán zǐ qù zháo bù shuō huà. . yǒu shuō bù chū de shí mó dōng, xī , zài xiě lǐ cuàn zháo.
He eyed her in silence, feeling a stir of excitement.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
The man squinted up at him.
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Cultural Notes for 觑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and folklore, the act of spying is often depicted as a means of gathering intelligence, reflecting the historical importance of espionage in ancient Chinese warfare and politics.
Word Family of 觑
Words Containing This Character4
小觑to despise小覷
面面相觑to look at each other in dismay (idiom)面面相覷
觑qùto spy覷
觑视to look覷視
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 小觑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 觑
No, 觑 is generally used in informal contexts and may not be appropriate for formal writing.
It is pronounced as 'qù', with a falling tone.
No, 觑 is more about discreetly observing someone or something, rather than watching in a casual sense.
