Meanings of 鉤
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About 鉤
Podcast: 鉤
Podcast: 鉤
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AI Study Notes for 鉤
钩 (gōu) vs 勾 (gōu) — use 鉤 for physical hooks or barbs, while 勾 is more often used for abstract connections or drawing.
When using 鉤 (gōu), be aware that it can refer to both physical hooks and abstract connections. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 句 (jù), which means 'sentence.' Use 鉤 in informal contexts when talking about physical items, but it can also be appropriate in formal writing when discussing connections.
This character is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists but is useful for learners at higher levels. Focus on its applications in both concrete and abstract contexts, and how it connects with related characters like 连接 (liánjiē) meaning 'to connect.'
Learners often write 鉤 incorrectly by omitting the metal radical. For example, writing it as 勾 (gōu) instead, which has a different meaning. Always remember the metal component in 鉤 to convey the correct meaning.
Pronunciation of 鉤
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Etymology of 鉤
A metal 釒 hook 句; 句 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鉤
- 1The giveawayA metal 釒 hook 句; 句 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鉤? 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 鉤
Identify the Components
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How to say hook, barb, sickle; to hook, to link in Chinese
“hook, barb, sickle; to hook, to link” in Chinese is鉤
The character 鉤 (gōu) refers to a hook or barb, often used to describe objects that have a curved or pointed end for catching or holding. In a broader sense, it can also mean to connect or link things together. This character is frequently used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as linking ideas or concepts.
When to use 鉤
When using 鉤 (gōu), be aware that it can refer to both physical hooks and abstract connections. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 句 (jù), which means 'sentence.' Use 鉤 in informal contexts when talking about physical items, but it can also be appropriate in formal writing when discussing connections.
鉤 or something close to it
钩 (gōu) vs 勾 (gōu) — use 鉤 for physical hooks or barbs, while 勾 is more often used for abstract connections or drawing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often write 鉤 incorrectly by omitting the metal radical. For example, writing it as 勾 (gōu) instead, which has a different meaning. Always remember the metal component in 鉤 to convey the correct meaning.
Write 鉤
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Practice writing 鉤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 鉤
Compound Meaning
What does 钩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鉤
It is pronounced as 'gōu' with the first tone.
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