Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
酢cù(cu4)
酢 (cù) refers to a kind of toast, typically made by a guest to honor the host during a gathering or celebration. This character is also a variant of 醋 (cù), which means vinegar, and it carries connotations of hospitality and respect in social interactions.
Strokes12Radical酉
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, making a toast is an important ritual during banquets and celebrations, symbolizing respect and goodwill. The use of 酢 in this context highlights the emphasis on hospitality and the social bonds formed during meals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a guest raising a cup filled with vinegar (醋) during a toast, honoring their host. The character 酢 looks somewhat like a cup (the top part) with liquid (the bottom part), helping you remember its association with toasting and hospitality.
Meanings of 酢
cù(cu4)
primary
1a toast to the host
2toast to host by guest
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 酢
酢Simplified
12Strokes
酉Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 酢
Podcast: 酢
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 酢
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a guest raising a cup filled with vinegar (醋) during a toast, honoring their host. The character 酢 looks somewhat like a cup (the top part) with liquid (the bottom part), helping you remember its association with toasting and hospitality.
Usage Notes
酢 is used more in formal or ceremonial contexts, especially during banquets. A common mistake is to confuse it with 醋, which is used more frequently in cooking. It's important to use the correct tone (cù) to avoid misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although 酢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can enrich your understanding of related words, especially those involving social customs. Focus on the differences between 酢 and 醋 to enhance your vocabulary about food and social etiquette.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, making a toast is an important ritual during banquets and celebrations, symbolizing respect and goodwill. The use of 酢 in this context highlights the emphasis on hospitality and the social bonds formed during meals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 酢 with 醋 because of their similar pronunciation and character structure. For example, saying '我喜欢酢' (Wǒ xǐhuān cù) to mean 'I like vinegar' is incorrect; the correct term is 醋 (cù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 酢
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 酢 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 酢 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 酢
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, making a toast is an important ritual during banquets and celebrations, symbolizing respect and goodwill. The use of 酢 in this context highlights the emphasis on hospitality and the social bonds formed during meals.
Word Family of 酢
Words Containing This Character2
酢cùvinegar
酬酢to exchange toasts
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 酢 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 酢
You can say, '我敬你一杯酢' (Wǒ jìng nǐ yī bēi cù), meaning 'I toast to you with a drink.'
No, 酢 is more specific to formal occasions and is not frequently used in casual conversations.
酢 is mainly used for toasting, while 醋 refers to vinegar, the sour condiment.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 酢?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
