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诰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
gàoto grant; to notify, to inform; to ordern, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #94303, Very Hard
gàoto enjoinunknown, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #94303, Very Hard
gàoto grant (a title)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #94303, Very Hard
gào(gao4) T4
  1. 1to grant; to notify, to inform; to order
  2. 2to enjoin
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March 24, 2026
(誥)gào(gao4)

The character 诰 (gào) primarily means to grant, inform, or notify someone about something, often in a formal context. It can also refer to the act of ordering or enjoining someone to do something, and is associated with granting titles or honors in historical and ceremonial contexts.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#94303DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, 诰 was often used in the context of imperial decrees that granted titles to officials or nobility, reflecting the hierarchical structure of society and the significance of formal announcements in governance.

Memory Tip

Think of 诰 (gào) as a 'gauntlet' thrown down in a formal announcement. The left side (讠) represents speech or communication, while the right side (告) reinforces the idea of giving orders or notifications. Imagine a royal decree being pronounced loudly to the people, symbolizing both the act of granting and informing.

Meanings of 诰

gào(gao4)
1to grant; to notify, to inform; to order
2to enjoin
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 诰

Simplified
Traditional
9Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 诰

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AI Study Notes for 诰

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 诰 (gào) as a 'gauntlet' thrown down in a formal announcement. The left side (讠) represents speech or communication, while the right side (告) reinforces the idea of giving orders or notifications. Imagine a royal decree being pronounced loudly to the people, symbolizing both the act of granting and informing.

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal settings, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include 诰命 (gào mìng - imperial decree) and 诰书 (gào shū - title certificate). Be careful with the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 诰 is not included in the official HSK levels, it may be useful for learners aiming for a higher proficiency, especially in reading historical texts or understanding formal language. Focus on its usage in context with other formal vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In ancient China, 诰 was often used in the context of imperial decrees that granted titles to officials or nobility, reflecting the hierarchical structure of society and the significance of formal announcements in governance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 诰 with 告 due to their similar meanings and pronunciations. For example, saying '我想要一个 诰' (I want a notification) instead of '我想要一个 告' is incorrect; use 告 for everyday notifications.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 诰

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Etymology of 诰

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To verbally 讠 inform 告; 告 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 诰?

Decomposition of 诰

IDS Structure⿰讠告
Full Character
=
yan2
left
gao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 诰?

Write 诰

Practice writing 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 诰

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient China, 诰 was often used in the context of imperial decrees that granted titles to officials or nobility, reflecting the hierarchical structure of society and the significance of formal announcements in governance.

Word Family of 诰

Words Containing This Character1
gàoto enjoin
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 诰 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 诰

Use 诰 primarily in formal or ceremonial contexts, such as discussions about historical titles or decrees.