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March 24, 2026
鈷gǔ(gu3)
The character 鈷 (gǔ) refers primarily to cobalt, a chemical element used in various industrial applications and in the production of blue pigments. In some contexts, it can also refer to a clothes iron, reflecting its metallic nature and association with heat and metalwork.
Strokes13Radical釒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Cobalt has historical significance in Chinese ceramics, where it has been used to create the iconic blue-and-white porcelain that is highly valued both domestically and internationally.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cobalt blue iron (鈷) heating up to press clothes. The radical for metal (金) appears in the character, reminding you that this is a metal. 'Gǔ' sounds like 'goo', as in the gooey blue paint made from cobalt!
Meanings of 鈷
gǔ(gu3)
1cobalt; clothes-iron
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About 鈷
鈷Simplified
13Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鈷
Podcast: 鈷
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AI Study Notes for 鈷
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cobalt blue iron (鈷) heating up to press clothes. The radical for metal (金) appears in the character, reminding you that this is a metal. 'Gǔ' sounds like 'goo', as in the gooey blue paint made from cobalt!
Usage Notes
While 鈷 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it appears in scientific contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters that refer to other metals. The tone is crucial; make sure to pronounce it with a falling tone (gǔ) to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
This character is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, but understanding it can enhance your knowledge of metals and elements. It connects to other science-related vocabulary, so focus on how it fits into discussions about chemistry or materials.
Cultural Note
Cobalt has historical significance in Chinese ceramics, where it has been used to create the iconic blue-and-white porcelain that is highly valued both domestically and internationally.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鈷 with similar characters like 锅 (guō), which means pot or pan. Make sure to remember that 鈷 specifically relates to cobalt and not cookware.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鈷
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Cultural Notes for 鈷
🏮Cultural insight
Cobalt has historical significance in Chinese ceramics, where it has been used to create the iconic blue-and-white porcelain that is highly valued both domestically and internationally.
Word Family of 鈷
Words Containing This Character1
钴gǔTaiwan pr. [gū]鈷
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 钴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鈷
You can say 鈷是一个重要的金属 (Cobalt is an important metal).
In scientific contexts, it may be referred to as 化学元素 (chemical element) or simply as 金属 (metal).
No, 鈷 is primarily used in technical or scientific discussions rather than in daily conversation.
