Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
釜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
cauldron, kettle, potns, 10 strokes, radical 金, rank #32446, Very Hard
(fu3) T3
  1. 1cauldron, kettle, pot
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(fu3)

The character 釜 (fǔ) refers to a type of pot or cauldron, traditionally used for cooking or boiling. It often symbolizes not just the physical object but also the act of transformation through heat, making it a common metaphor in various contexts.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#32446DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, large cauldrons were often used in rituals and for cooking offerings during ceremonies, linking the character to cultural practices of respect and tradition in food preparation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big, round cauldron (釜) bubbling over a fire, transforming ingredients into a delicious soup. The bottom part of the character (釜) looks like the base of a pot, while the upper part suggests steam rising from the cooking process. Remember, 'fǔ' sounds like 'foo,' as in 'foo, that smells good!'

Meanings of 釜

(fu3)
1cauldron, kettle, pot
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 釜

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 釜

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 釜

Quick Contrast

锅 (guō) - use 釜 (fǔ) when referring to traditional or metaphorical contexts, while 锅 (guō) is more commonly used for modern cooking pots.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big, round cauldron (釜) bubbling over a fire, transforming ingredients into a delicious soup. The bottom part of the character (釜) looks like the base of a pot, while the upper part suggests steam rising from the cooking process. Remember, 'fǔ' sounds like 'foo,' as in 'foo, that smells good!'

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 釜 (fǔ) with related terms like 锅 (guō), which also means pot but typically refers to a frying pan or wok. This term is more formal and might be used in literature or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Though 釜 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it’s useful to connect it with other cooking-related terms like 锅 (guō) and 煮 (zhǔ). Focus on the context of cooking when learning this term, as it may appear in literature or idiomatic expressions.

Cultural Note

In ancient China, large cauldrons were often used in rituals and for cooking offerings during ceremonies, linking the character to cultural practices of respect and tradition in food preparation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 釜 (fǔ) with 锅 (guō), leading to sentences like '我用釜炒菜' (I use a cauldron to stir-fry), which is incorrect. The correct term for frying is 锅 (guō).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 釜

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 釜

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 金 represents the meaning and 父 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 釜?

Decomposition of 釜

IDS Structure⿻父金
Full Character
=
fu4
outer
Jin1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 釜?

Write 釜

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

Grammar Patterns of 釜

釜 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

洪水冲垮了____山的一座主要桥梁。

Flood waters washed away one of the main bridges in Pusan.

Example Sentences for 釜 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
洪水冲垮了釜山的一座主要桥梁。

hóng shuǐ chōng kuǎ le fǔ shān de yī zuò zhǔ yào qiáo liáng。

Flood waters washed away one of the main bridges in Pusan.

Cultural Notes for 釜

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient China, large cauldrons were often used in rituals and for cooking offerings during ceremonies, linking the character to cultural practices of respect and tradition in food preparation.

Word Family of 釜

Words Containing This Character6
釜山Busan Metropolitan City in South Gyeongsang Province 慶尚南道|庆尚南道[Qìng​shàng​nán​dào], South Korea
kettle
破釜沉舟to burn one's boats
釜底抽薪to pull the carpet from under sb
釜山市Busan Metropolitan City in South Gyeongsang Province 慶尚南道|庆尚南道[Qìng​shàng​nán​dào], South Korea
釜底游鱼in a desperate situation釜底游魚
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 釜山 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 釜

釜 is primarily used to refer to a cooking pot or cauldron, especially in historical or literary contexts.