Meanings of 锄
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About 锄
Podcast: 锄
Podcast: 锄
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AI Study Notes for 锄
锄 (hoe) vs 挖 (wā, to dig) — use 锄 when referring specifically to weeding or eradicating undesirable plants, while 挖 is more general for digging.
Imagine a farmer using a hoe (锄) in the field, tirelessly digging up weeds. The shape of the character resembles a tool, with the top part representing the handle and the bottom part the blade. Visualize the action of 'chopping' away the unwanted plants, which helps you remember the pronunciation 'chú'.
Learners often confuse 锄 with similar words like 拖 (tuō) which means to drag or pull. 锄 is more specific to the act of weeding or digging, while 拖 is more general. It's important to use 锄 in contexts related to gardening or removing unwanted elements, and be mindful of the tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
Although 锄 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other agricultural terms like 种 (zhòng, to plant) and 收 (shōu, to harvest). Focus on its applications in farming-related discussions and practice using it in sentences about gardening.
In traditional Chinese culture, agriculture has been a cornerstone of society, and tools like the hoe (锄) symbolize the hard work of farmers. The importance of farming tools is reflected in Chinese proverbs and idioms that emphasize diligence and the value of labor.
Learners often mistakenly use 锄 in contexts unrelated to weeding or digging, like saying '我锄去商店' (I hoe to the store) instead of '我去商店' (I go to the store). Ensure you reserve 锄 for agricultural or metaphorical contexts.
Pronunciation of 锄
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Etymology of 锄
A metal 钅 tool 助; 助 also provides the pronunciation
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 锄?
Decomposition of 锄
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Write 锄
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Practice writing 锄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 锄
锄 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他在用刀削树枝做一把____头柄.
He is whittling down the branch with a knife to make a handle for his hoe.
Example Sentences for 锄 (2)
Cultural Notes for 锄
In traditional Chinese culture, agriculture has been a cornerstone of society, and tools like the hoe (锄) symbolize the hard work of farmers. The importance of farming tools is reflected in Chinese proverbs and idioms that emphasize diligence and the value of labor.
Word Family of 锄
Compound Meaning
What does 锄头 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 锄
锄 (chú) specifically refers to hoeing or weeding, while 拖 (tuō) refers to dragging or pulling something. They are used in different contexts.
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