Meanings of 購
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About 購
Podcast: 購
Podcast: 購
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AI Study Notes for 購
購 (gòu, to buy) vs 采 (cǎi, to collect or gather) — choose 購 when referring specifically to purchasing items.
Be careful not to confuse 購 with other similar-sounding words like 购 (gòu) which is a simplified variant. This character is more formal and is often used in written contexts, while other terms may be more casual. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
Although 購 is not on the HSK list, it is related to other vocabulary about shopping and transactions that students will encounter. Focus on its usage in compound words like 購物 (gòuwù) meaning 'shopping' to strengthen your understanding.
Learners often misuse 購 in casual conversation when 购 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想購一件衣服' (I want to purchase a piece of clothing) sounds too formal; instead, use '我想购一件衣服.'
Pronunciation of 購
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Etymology of 購
Simplified form of 購. Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 冓 represents the sound.
money
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 購
Simplified form of 購. Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 冓 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half貝 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half冓 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymoney
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 購? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 購
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How to say to buy, to purchase in Chinese
“to buy, to purchase” in Chinese is購
The character 購 (gòu) means 'to buy' or 'to purchase.' It is commonly used in contexts related to transactions, shopping, and acquiring goods or services. This character is often encountered in commercial and everyday situations, reflecting the act of exchanging money for items.
When to use 購
Be careful not to confuse 購 with other similar-sounding words like 购 (gòu) which is a simplified variant. This character is more formal and is often used in written contexts, while other terms may be more casual. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
購 or something close to it
購 (gòu, to buy) vs 采 (cǎi, to collect or gather) — choose 購 when referring specifically to purchasing items.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 購 in casual conversation when 购 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想購一件衣服' (I want to purchase a piece of clothing) sounds too formal; instead, use '我想购一件衣服.'
Write 購
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Practice writing 購 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 購
Compound Meaning
What does 购物 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 購
While 購 is correct, you might hear the simpler 购 in everyday conversation, especially in informal contexts.
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